It’s ovarian cancer awareness month. Ovarian cancer poses a significant threat to women’s health. Your risk goes up as you age after you go through menopause. Women whose families have a history of ovarian or breast cancer also face a higher risk. The same applies to those with specific genetic changes, like BRCA1 or BRCA2. You might also have an increased risk if you’ve never had a baby or if you had your first child after turning 35. It’s important to be aware of these risk factors and talk about them with your doctor.
How Is Ovarian Cancer Detected?
Spotting ovarian cancer in its early stages is tough because its signs can be unclear and often look like other less serious health issues. Common signs include swelling, pain in the pelvis, feeling full fast, and peeing often. Since these signs are so common, people often ignore them until the cancer has spread more.
To find ovarian cancer, doctors might use several methods. A pelvic check can sometimes show problems, but it’s not perfect. More advanced tests include ultrasounds and blood tests that search for something called CA-125 levels, which are shown to be high in women with ovarian cancer. But these tests don’t give a final answer, and more looking into it, like taking a small piece of tissue to check, might be needed.
Why You Should Get Tested
Catching ovarian cancer early plays a vital role in its treatment. When doctors find it sooner, patients have better odds of beating it. Many women mistake the signs for other problems and don’t get help until the cancer has spread. This makes regular check-ups and knowing your body’s warnings essential. If you’re at risk or notice symptoms that won’t go away, talk to your doctor about testing right away. It could mean the difference between finding the disease when it’s easiest to treat.
