A few days back my colleague’s mother-in-law was detected with ovarian cancer, terminal stage. She passed away 2 weeks after that due to heart attack. This was a day after first chemotherapy. Not all body can take the pain of chemotherapy. It weakens the entire immune system.
Cancer is such a disease which sneaks into your life through the back door. Grows itself. Makes itself stronger using You. When it attacks, it is already too late. Just like alarm systems monitor movement of unidentified persons in the house, regular health checkups pinpoint the presence of unwanted cells in the body.
Ovarian Cancer among women of reproductive and growing age has become one of the common problems in India. Development of cancer cells in ovary accounts for about 4% per cent of all cancers in women. However, it is a highly aggressive cancer and is one of the leading causes of women’s death.
The idea is not to scare you, but to make you aware of this devil. Living a aware life is one of the key to good health. Early detection of this disease makes it curable.
Be aware of the symptoms and you will do just fine.
TAKE ACTION. NOT CHANCES,℠ a core campaign, emphasizes earlier awareness of signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and earlier conversations with doctors.
Potential signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
When diagnosed & treated in the earliest stages, 5-year survival rate is over 90%.
How can You Diagnose with Ovarian Cancer?
Most women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease (Stage III or IV). This is because the symptoms of ovarian cancer, particularly in the early stages, often are not acute or intense, and present vaguely. In most cases, ovarian cancer is not detected during routine pelvic exams, unless the doctor notes that the ovary is enlarged. The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better a woman’s chance for survival. It is important to know that early stage symptoms can be difficult to detect, though are not always silent. As a result, it is important that women listen to their bodies and watch for early symptoms that may present.
The Pap test does not detect ovarian cancer. Click To TweetMore reading: Ovarian Cancer
