OVARIAN CANCER
UNTIL THERE'S A CURE
There are approximately 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in the US each year. At this time, there are no known causes of ovarian cancer. It is a cancerous tumor in a women's ovary. Like many other cancers, early detection is key to fighting ovarian cancer, but there are often no warning signs of the illness and the symptoms are very vague. Some of the warning signs are ongoing pain or cramps in the belly or back, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and nausea and bloating. Treatments for ovarian cancer include chemotherapy and surgery, depending on the cancer stage.
It remains unknown why one woman develops ovarian cancer while another woman does not. Research has shown that certain risk factors increase the likelihood a woman may get ovarian cancer. Other factors may actually decrease a woman's probability of getting the disease.
Having risk factors does not predict you will get ovarian cancer. Some women who get the disease have no known risk factors, and most women with the risk factors will not get ovarian cancer. However, if you think you may be at risk for ovarian cancer, you should speak with your doctor.
