1Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is known in the medical circle as a ‘silent killer’. The American Cancer Association estimates that in 2018 alone, approximately 22,240 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and up to 14,070 women will succumb to this disease. Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer in existence. It ranks 5th in cancer-related deaths in women, claiming more lives than any other cancer of the reproductive system.
The chances of a woman being diagnosed with ovarian cancer during her lifetime are 1 in 78, while the chances of death are estimated to be 1 in 108. Usually, it is older women that develop ovarian cancer. Women over the age of 63 years are more prone to develop this type of cancer.
Though the American Cancer Association reports that the rate of diagnosing ovarian cancer has rapidly reduced over the past 20 years, it still doesn’t take away from the fact that this cancer can be truly dangerous, especially when it is caught too late.
There are a few ways you can spot the symptoms of ovarian cancer. But please remember that before you assume you have an illness, it is always best to seek the opinion of a medical professional.
Here are a few symptoms that you should keep an eye out for:
1.Bleeding
For a healthy female body, experiencing one period a month is considered natural. But in the case of ovarian cancer, the bleeding can be irregular. Women who begin to experience excessive bleeding, that is if their period lasts for too long, or if their menstrual cycle is erratic, that is they experience their periods two times a month.
According to an article published by Prevention, this is mostly experienced by women who are younger. But that doesn’t mean irregular bleeding isn’t noticed in patients who have already gone through menopause. Ovarian cancer can sometimes overstimulate the production of estrogen and this can cause abnormal bleeding in women who have already gone through menopause. If you feel like you are suffering from abnormal bleeding, then please consult with your gynecologist for a more
in-depth understanding of your symptoms. Article continues on the next pages…
