How to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer
Ways to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer
The problem regarding high mortality rate among ovarian cancer patients is very alarming and women should learn how to diagnose ovarian cancer before its too late for a treatment. Do you know the ways to diagnose ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer is one of the top five cancers treating women, hence learning how to diagnose the disease is truly essential for you.
Ovarian Cancer as The “Silent Killer” Of Women
Due to the high mortality rate involving ovarian cancer patients, the disease is now tagged as the “Silent Killer” because normally the symptoms are being noticed on its advanced stage and too late for a treatment. Studies also show that only 20% of women acquiring the disease are diagnosed on its early stages and have greater chances for a possible treatment. The sad part also is that there is no actual ovarian cancer screening for its early detection, thus adding on the burden of many women.
Another disturbing fact about ovarian cancer is the truth that its exact causes is still haven’t been discovered or identified by the experts until the present time. In addition, the risk factor which is commonly linked for the occurrence of the disease is through family history or hereditary issues.
On the other hand, medicinenet.com makes clear about the difference between benign tumor and malignant tumor which is essential in understanding ovarian cancer, since the disease is caused by growth of tumor on the ovary of a woman. Experts clarify that benign tumors are not totally cancerous and can be removed easily through surgery. And also, benign tumors don’t spread on the other parts of the body and once it dies out there is no chances for it to reappear. This is not on the case of malignant tumors which leads to cancer and threatens the life of the patient, like in ovarian cancer.
Signs of Ovarian Cancer
Since the symptoms of ovarian cancer usually became visible on its advanced stage, it is still vital in diagnosing the disease. Bloating, frequency or urgency in urination, having trouble in eating, and abdominal or pelvic pain is the familiar symptoms of its early stages. Moreover, advanced stages may show signs of pain during sex, menstrual changes, fatigue, constipation, back pain, and upset stomach. However, seeing these signs may not signify ovarian cancer and can be symptoms of other disorder, but if you think that it is a good reason to be diagnosed then here are the ways used in detecting the disease.
Cancer.org has listed some procedures used for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer:
- Meeting with the Doctor. The right doctor to approach that specializes on the diagnosis of ovarian cancer is a gynecologic oncologist. He or she has the expertise in detecting early stages of the disease by performing physical tests
- Ultrasound. Using the technology of ultrasonography has the capability of finding out tumors or cysts inside the woman’s body.
- Computed Tomography. CT scan is being used in identifying the presence and size of the tumors to check if it’s already affecting the other organs of the body.
- Chest X-Ray. This will help to determine if the cancer cells have reached the lungs. Formerly, Barium Enema X-Ray was used to check if the cancer cells already affected the colon or rectum but this was replaced by colonoscopy.
There are other procedures used such as laparoscopy, biopsy, and blood tests that are also beneficial for diagnosing ovarian cancer.
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