Ovarian Cyst Daily

Source: news8austin

By: Ivanhoe Broadcast

According to the American Cancer Society, about 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 14,000 women die from the cancer each year. Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women (not counting skin cancer). It ranks as the fifth cause of cancer death in women. A woman’s risk of getting invasive ovarian cancer in her lifetime is about 1 in 71.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer may be vague and may mimic those of other conditions. For instance, many cases of ovarian cancer are mistaken for digestive or bladder disorders. Experts say the key is to notice persistent or worsening signs and symptoms. With digestive disorders, symptoms tend to come and go. With ovarian cancer, symptoms are typically constant and gradually worsen. Recent research suggests a woman with ovarian cancer is more likely to experience symptoms such as:
• Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
• Pelvic discomfort or pain
• Urinary urgency

Doctors typically do not recommend screening for ovarian cancer for most healthy women. Several screening tests are commercially available, but according to the Mayo Clinic and leading experts, none has been proven to lead to an early diagnosis that improves outcome. These tests may also lead to false-positives, which may subject women to unnecessary procedures.

Unlike other cancers, doctors say yearly screening for ovarian cancer may do more harm than good.

Some common tests include:
• Pelvic Exam: A doctor will examine the patient’s vagina, uterus, rectum and pelvis, including the ovaries, for masses or growths.
• Ultrasound: This method uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. However, if a mass is found, ultrasound can’t reliably distinguish a cancerous growth from a non-cancerous growth.
• CA 125: This is a protein that your body makes in response to many different conditions. Many women with ovarian cancer have high levels of CA 125 in their blood. However, other conditions may cause elevated levels. Many women with early-stage ovarian cancer may have normal CA 125 levels. Because of this, the CA 125 test isn’t used for routine screening in women who are not at high risk for ovarian cancer.