Information About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is actually more than one form of cancer but they are all cancers which start in that area of the female reproductive organs known as the ovaries.



Unfortunately, ovarian cancer often has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, allowing it to grow and develop for sometime before its victim becomes aware of it. When this cancer does begin to show symptoms, the symptoms are usually such things as the person becoming very tired easily, having a bloated stomach, feeling nauseous a good part of the time and being inflicted with either diarrhea or constipation.



Although other problems can cause these same symptoms, it is important that a woman should immediately be checked out by a doctor to find out what the problem is. It may not be this cancer, but then again it may be and the sooner it is caught and dealt with, the better.



Women who have had breast cancer or who have family members who have had some form of cancer are more apt to have ovarian cancer than women who have not had breast cancer or who have no family members with a history of cancer.



It has also been noted that women who have had children, especially those that have had them young, are less apt to develop ovarian cancer than those who have not had children.



The majority of the women who develop this cancer are those in their early senior years, ages fifty-five and up.



Because of the nature of ovarian cancer not to show symptoms in its earliest stages, in the majority of cases the presence of ovarian cancer necessitates what is known as a total hysterectomy, that is the total removal of the ovaries. After this, the person is usually treated aggressively with chemotherapy, that is chemicals that kill cancer cells.



Very rarely radiation is also used after surgery for this cancer. This treatment is one that can be done very quickly if it is determined that it is needed.



Treatment for this cancer is often followed by medications given to help the person maintain her femininity.



Unfortunately, these medications often have their own side effects, so it is important that the person use them only as long as they are necessary and keep her doctor appraised of any changes or problems noticed.



After being treated for this cancer, the person is able to live a normal, active lifestyle. It is important to that she eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise.



Each year a large number of women are victims of this cancer but also, with aggressive treatment many women are also over comers of ovarian cancer.