What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian Cancer is a type of cancer in which the abnormal cells in the ovary (reproductive glands in females) begin to multiply and form a tumor. This tumor, if left untreated can also spread to other parts of the body.
Screening Ovarian Cancer
Fact is that only 20% of ovarian cancers are found at early stages and 94% of patients live more than 5 years after diagnosis. To find ovarian cancer at an early stage in order to get it treated within time, one needs to get a screening for ovarian cancer done.
Here are some ways that can help find ovarian cancer at an early stage…
Regular Health Exams: During your regular pelvic exam, a healthcare provider also feels the ovaries and uterus for its size, shape, and consistency. Although it is difficult and almost impossible to feel, a regular pelvic test is what can be useful in finding ovarian cancer at an early stage. Women must also discuss the need for these exams with their doctors, only to understand why the test is necessary.
Book an appointment with the doctor if you witness symptoms: The early stage of ovarian cancer does not usually have any symptoms. This leads to late detection of the ovarian cancer. There is also a possibility that the ovarian cancer spreads to other nearby organs of the body.
Here are some warning signals for a screening for ovarian cancer. These symptoms include, pelvic/abdominal discomfort, bloating, difficulty in eating, feeling full, rushing to urinate frequently, or increased abdominal size. These symptoms need not necessarily mean that you have ovarian cancer. But, if you have any type of problems with your periods and abdominal pains, make sure that you get yourself tested in time.
If you witness any of the symptoms mentioned above for more than two weeks, it is probably time for you to report it to your healthcare provider.
A screening test is one thing that needs to be done to detect a disease in its early stage so that it can be treated in the right sphere of time. Screening ovarian cancer, especially in people that do not have symptoms, can help in treatment of the cancer.
To know how you can get ovarian cancer treated, you can talk to experts at the Lifeline Laboratory and get the best of consultations and appointments through their network in the medical industry.
Types of Screening for Ovarian Cancer
Although there aren’t many tests that tell the accurate results for ovarian cancer, the two most commonly used tests for ovarian cancer are:
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to look at the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. The test involves putting an ultrasound wand into the vagina that further helps in finding the tutor in the ovary.
- CA-125 Blood Test: The CA-125 Blood Test is conducted to measure the amount of ‘CA-125’ protein in the blood. Now, this test is helpful in detecting ovarian cancer as it helps in lowering down the high levels of CA-125 in the blood post medication. If the level of the CA-125 protein is successful, this means that the medication is helping to cure the cancer. This test is mostly considered vague as it never gives the right results.
- Biopsy: A biopsy is an examination of tissue removed from a living body only to discover the presence, cause or the extent of a disease.
Now let’s talk about the benefits and risks for screening of ovarian cancer. Below are certain things that you must know before you think to get a screening for ovarian cancer done.
Benefits of Screening Ovarian Cancer
Just like any other screening for cancers, screening for ovarian cancer helps in finding ovarian cancer at a curable stage, thus, reducing the risk of dying.
Risks of Screening Ovarian Cancer
A falsely positive screening test result or a falsely negative test result can both be a huge risks for screening ovarian cancer. A false positive result can lead to unnecessary surgeries for healthy women.These surgeries also carry risk of injury, anxiety, time out from work, and in some cases, serious complications. Let’s not forget that it also costs high.
This is why, it is highly recommended that you must get consultancy from your doctor before getting a screening for ovarian cancer done. You can reach experts at the Lifeline Laboratory for any help that you need to analyse ovarian cancer and for any other health queries or treatments.
Factors that Lead to Ovarian Cancer
Some factors that increase the risk of ovarian cancer include, old age, relatives with ovarian cancer, BRCA! Or BRCA2 abnormalities in genes, genes linked to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (a.k.a, Lynch Syndrome), being overweight, never being pregnant, etc.
Can we reduce the risk of Ovarian Cancer?
Some factors that can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer includes, hormonal methods of birth control, having tubes tied up to prevent pregnancy, having ovaries removed, being pregnant & breastfeeding, etc. If you have been detected with ovarian cancer, you will need to get a diagnosis done quickly. You must reach out to the best diagnostic centre in Delhi NCR and get your diagnosis don
