Ovarian Cancer - Symptoms, Causes, Cure, Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

There are over 7,000 deaths from Ovarian Cancer each year in the UK only. The survival rate five years after diagnosis is only 30 per cent.

What Causes Ovarian Cancer?

There are several factors that are thought to increase the risk of developing this disease. They include:

• having fewer babies or no children;
• bottle- rather than breast-feeding; and
• possibly infertility treatment and family history.

Factors that reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer include: having children at an early age; having more babies; breast-feeding; and taking the contraceptive pill.

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Scanning of the ovaries using an ultrasound probe in the vagina to see the ovaries most clearly is essential.
A blood test that measures the level of a protein called CA125 will also help to detect the disease. Using the two tests together will help to pick up even more cases earlier.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Often symptoms are late in showing themselves, which means the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage and may be why treatment is not that successful.
The usual symptoms are common in middle-aged women and include abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and weight loss.

Treatment for ovarian cancer

The earlier the diagnosis is made, the more successful the treatment. If the condition is confined to the ovaries then surgical removal can cure the illness.
If the disease has spread, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be used. The later the detection of the disease and the more widespread the condition, the less hopeful is the outlook.

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