Unlike many other cancers, there is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer, also known as a silent killer
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when abnormal cells in your ovaries or fallopian tubes grow and mutate and multiply out of control. According to experts, your ovaries, part of the female reproductive system, are two round, walnut-sized organs that make eggs during your reproductive years. However, the disease mostly goes unnoticed in its early stages, as most signs and symptoms are either neglected or misunderstood by women.
According to experts, unlike many other cancers, like cervical or breast cancer, there is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer, also known as a silent killer. Doctors mostly recommend ultrasounds and CA-125 blood tests when there is suspicion of cancer of the ovaries.
Who gets ovarian cancer?
Experts say ovarian cancer affects mostly Black, Hispanic, or Asian women. In addition, people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent are much more likely to have a BRCA gene mutation, placing them at a higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer. It is the eighth most common cancer among women all over the world, and the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is approximately 1 in 78.
Experts say the most problematic part of ovarian cancer is its association with delayed pregnancies—a correlation that many women do not know about.
Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
A few signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, which develop and spread throughout your abdomen, may include:
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Pelvic or abdominal pain, which includes bloating and discomfort
- Changes in your eating habits, like getting full early and losing your appetite
- Vaginal discharge or abnormal bleeding—especially outside your monthly cycle
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Bowel changes like diarrhoea and constipation
- An increase in the size of your abdomen
- Peeing more often
What causes ovarian cancer?
According to experts, even though the exact cause of ovarian cancer is not known, some women do have a higher risk of developing the condition. Most of these risk factors include:
- Being over the age of 60 years
- Obesity and being overweight
- A family history of ovarian cancer, inheriting a gene mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2), or Lynch syndrome
- Never being pregnant or having children later in life
- Endometriosis—a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus
- There’s also an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer as you grow older.
Can you prevent ovarian cancer?
While there is no way to prevent ovarian cancer completely, doctors say knowing your biological family history can help you prepare for any heightened risk of developing it.
If you have a genetic mutation such as a BRCA mutation, your doctor can recommend risk-reducing surgery to remove your ovaries and tubes before they become cancerous. If you are not sure if you have a BRCA or another mutation, ask the doctor about genetic testing.
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