Doctors cannot always explain why one woman develops ovarian cancer and
another does not. However, we do know that women with certain risk factors may
be more likely than others to develop ovarian cancer. A risk factor is something
that may increase the chance of developing a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for ovarian cancer:
Family history of cancer: Women who have a mother, daughter, or sister
with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease. Also, women with a
family history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum may also have
an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
If several women in a family have ovarian or breast cancer, especially at a
young age, this is considered a strong family history. If you have a strong
family history of ovarian or breast cancer, you may wish to talk to a genetic
counselor. The counselor may suggest genetic testing for you and the women in
your family. Genetic tests can sometimes show the presence of specific gene
changes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Personal history of cancer: Women who have had cancer of the breast,
uterus, colon, or rectum have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Age over 55: Most women are over age 55 when diagnosed with ovarian
cancer.
Never pregnant: Older women who have never been pregnant have an
increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Menopausal hormone therapy: Some studies have suggested that women who
take estrogen by itself (estrogen without progesterone) for 10 or more years may
have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Scientists have also studied whether taking certain fertility drugs, using
talcum powder, or being obese are risk factors. It is not clear whether these
are risk factors, but if they are, they are not strong risk factors.
Having a risk factor does not mean that a woman will get ovarian cancer. Most
women who have risk factors do not get ovarian cancer. On the other hand, women
who do get the disease often have no known risk factors, except for growing
older. Women who think they may be at risk of ovarian cancer should talk with
their doctor.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures within an ovary. Causes of ovarian cysts are numerous. Symptoms of an ovarian cysts may be pain in the belly or pelvis. Treatment of an ovarian cysts depends on type of cyst.
Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity is most commonly caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Some of the other causes of ascites include portal hypertension, congestive heart failure, blood clots, and pancreatitis. The most common symptoms include increased abdominal girth and size, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on the cause of ascites.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
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