Archive for November, 2009
Watching Out for Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
One of the cancers that are among the deadliest is ovarian cancer. It is rare, but it is among the most deadly, with a low survival rate in the final two stages. This is because it is a relatively silent killer that often progresses beyond any hope of healing before it is discovered. New tests are allowing doctors to catch this disease earlier, improving chances of survival, but it is still a little-known menace that affects women.
Ovarian cancer initially attacks the ovaries. As with most cancers, the exact cause of the cancer is not completely known. However, it does start in the ovaries. If caught soon enough, the ovaries can usually be removed, with a very god chance of success.
The Four Stages of Ovarian Cancer
The key, however, is catching the cancer early. It needs to be caught in its first or second stage for the best chance of survival. And therein lies the problem. Most of the time, the cancer is not found until it is in the third or fourth stage. These stages are pretty much too late for most people. The fourth stage especially, as by this time the cancer has probably spread throughout the body. This cancer cannot be detected by a pap smear. Therefore, it is important that you inform your doctor of a family history of ovarian cancer (genetics is the main indicator and cause) and any other irregularities. Even though improved tests can help detect the cancer earlier than before, it is important that your physician be on the look out for indicators.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer include irregular menstrual cycles (although many women have these anyway, but someone prone to cancer will find that birth control does not properly regulate it), frequent nausea and fever, and vaginal bleeding. A frequent need to use the bathroom is another indication of the possibility of ovarian cancer. All of these things need to be discussed with your doctor so that she or he knows what the possibilities might be.
Reducing the Risk of ovarian Cancer
Behaviors that are thought to reduce the risk (although nothing can completely eradicate the risk of ovarian cancer) include healthy diet and exercise, oral contraceptives, breastfeeding, and having at least one full-term pregnancy. Of course, none of these behaviors are complete protection against any illness, including cancer, but it can help you reduce your chance of developing it. Surgical procedures are also thought to help. Things like having your tubes “tied” and also the removal of the ovaries can reduce your risk as well. Although, interestingly enough, even removing your ovaries does not completely eliminate your chances of developing ovarian cancer (even though it helps significantly).
By understanding your family history and taking care to live a healthy lifestyle, you can probably avoid ovarian cancer. It is a rare cancer, but more deadly perhaps because of that rarity. Most women are not likely to get it, but it is a good idea to be on your guard, especially if there is a history of ovarian cancer in your family.
About the Author
Learn more about ovarian cancer, and other cancers and their treatments at The Cancer Directory
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Watching Out for Ovarian Cancer
Important Factors Influencing Ovarian Cyst Formation
Causes that have a powerful influence on ovarian cyst formation are:
1) Family Genetics
A genetic dissimilarity between people who have ovarian cysts and people who do not has been demonstrated by research. It is likely that you will produce ovarian cysts if there is a background of ovarian cysts in your family.
2) Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance causes extremely high insulin concentrations in the blood. This encourages the ovaries to overproduce androgens (male hormones) which can lead to the manifestation of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS, also known as the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a condition linked to multiple cysts in the ovaries.
PCOS is today well-known as the most frequent reason for ovulation failure, giving rise to infertility, in those who have not yet commenced the menopause.
3) Poor Immunological Response
A healthy immune system regularly fights unwanted substances and cells in the body.
Aberrant cells also get destroyed in addition to other substances that set off ovarian cysts.
4) Poor Diet And Lifestyle Factors
Your body will not work in the right manner if you do not feed the body what it needs.
Amongst the numerous conditions produced by poor diets are hormonal imbalances and a weak immune mechanism. Both of these conditions will result in the development of ovarian cysts. For the most part people have a fair understanding of what constitutes a bad diet. Excessive junk food and carbohydrates, and insufficient food abounding in nutriments such as fresh vegetables. Frequent consultations with your surgeon are necessary.
Lifestyle factors also have some bearing on the manifestation of dysfunctional follicles. Lack of a sedentary lifestyle and stress together with inadequate good nutrition all lead to the formation of ovarian cysts.
Ovarian Cyst Manifestation – The Basic Reasons and the Cures
There are a variety of causes for ovarian cysts developing in the same way that there are a several various sorts of them.
Having an awareness of the reasons for ovarian cysts to appear is essential to curing them. Without this information, it is sometimes not possible to find the most suitable therapy.
The most frequently occuring class of ovarian cyst is without doubt the functional cyst. The functional cyst grows when the normal cycle of events of the menstruation cycle malfunction in some fashion.
Usually, little structures known as follicles appear inside your ovaries. All of these follicles contain one egg and is intended to be the source of estrogens and progesterone. Halfway through the menstrual cycle, the pituitary gland normally signals the follicle to open and release the egg. Following the discharge of the egg, two hormones, progesterone and estrogen will be released by the ruptured follicle.
How The Two Distinct Forms Of Functional Cysts Are Formed.
There are two circumstances under which this cycle of events can be disturbed causing two diverse sorts of functional cyst:
1) Follicular Ovarian Cyst.
Should the egg not be discharged by the follicle, then the follicle will transform into a follicular cyst. Usually they are not harmful and often fade away after a few menstrual periods.
2) Corpus Luteum Ovarian Cyst.
In the case that the egg becomes freed but the ruptured follicle closes itself instead of keeping open, it will sometimes puff up with fluid and turn into a Corpus Luteum cyst.
Generally it diminishes on it’s own in about a fortnight. Issues can appear however, for instance puffing up, turning, flooding with blood and potentially rupturing. These issues will certainly affect symptoms like uneasiness in the stomach or pelvic region that are liable to feel terribly extreme if the cyst bursts.
Every time, the follicle does not discharge progesterone, causing a hormonal imbalance. This hormonal inequality encourages the growth of further cysts.
Ovarian Cysts During Pregnancy
An ovarian cyst consists of a structure that is fluid-filled and usually causes no harm and has no symptoms. These types of cysts are actually quite common in women, even those who are pregnant. It has been found that 1 in about 1,000 women will get ovarian cysts during pregnancy.
Many ovarian cysts found during the course of a pregnancy are not malignant and it is quite uncommon for a pregnant woman to get ovarian cancer. A medical practitioner will conduct an ultrasound to determine if an ovarian cyst is cancerous or non-cancerous. A benign cyst appears as a fluid-filled sac without any thick walls of septation. Even so, an ultrasound cannot determine if a cyst is malignant with 100 percent accuracy.
Ovarian cysts can become large, even when they are benign, and this leads to special complications during pregnancy. Though large cysts can cause pain whether or not a woman is pregnant, when a large cyst ruptures or twists on itself during pregnancy, there is the possibility of a miscarriage or pre-term labor. A baby may be delivered earlier than usual due to complications with ovarian cysts during pregnancy.
Ovarian cysts generally do not pose a threat to the health of a pregnant woman unless the cyst grows and breaks apart. Even when an ovarian cyst ruptures, infection is unlikely. Pain can result from a rupturing cyst, however. Using pain relievers can lessen the pain and will not interfere with pregnancy. Even with an ovarian cyst during pregnancy, anesthesia can still be used throughout labor. Therefore, ovarian cysts without further issues do not present concerns to pregnancy.
If an ovarian cyst grows and becomes twisted, it will require surgical removal. Generally speaking, the surgery won’t interfere with the pregnancy or harm the baby. That being said, surgery always involves risks and it’s better to avoid it during pregnancy if you can. Ovarian cysts measuring more than 6 cm in diameter will be often removed surgically unless they decrease in size by themselves.
If the ovarian cyst is required to be removed, the best time to operate is during the second trimester when an operation of this nature presents fewer complications. Ovarian cysts are removed by laparoscopy but larger cysts require an open incision. Because the risk of a large ovarian cyst rupturing is very high, pregnant women who develop large ovarian cysts need to be closely monitored by their doctor.
In short, while ovarian cysts during pregnancy are fairly common, they should be closely monitored throughout the pregnancy. Ovarian cysts are generally no worse for the health of the would-be mother than they would be at any other time.
Discover How to Cure Ovarian Cysts and PCOS At Any Age, Even If You’ve Tried Everything And Nothing Has Ever Worked For You Before CLICK HERE for more information.
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