Risk factors are certain predisposed conditions that make an individual prone to developing a certain medical condition. Having a certain risk factor for ovarian cancer does not indicate that you will definitely develop this medical condition but it merely indicate that as compared to an average woman, you have a higher chance of developing ovarian cancer.
Some of the risk factors of ovarian cancer in women include -
- Obesity - women who have a high body mass index are known to be more likely to develop ovarian cancer
- Age - The risk for ovarian cancer also increases along with age in women.
- Gynecologic Surgery - The risk of ovarian cancer after a hysterectomy or the removal of the uterus of the woman without removing the ovaries tends to reduce by almost one -third. Similarly women who have undergone a surgical procedure to get their tubes tied also known as tubal litigation may have lower risk factor with regards to ovarian cancer.
- Hormone Therapy - Most women experiencing menopause tend to undergo hormone or estrogen therapy, Research has shown that hormone therapy or estrogen therapy tends to increase the risk of the woman developing ovarian cancer. This risk is further magnified if the woman is taking both progesterone and estrogen for a long period.
- Genetics - Family history or genetics also plays a critical role as a risk factor for ovarian cancer in women. Women who have had sisters, their mother or any other female family member diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the past tend to have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, studies have also shown that women who are suffering from ovarian cancer because of inherited gene mutations have a better prognosis as compared to those who do not have any previous family history of ovarian cancer.
Once diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the woman may also experience certain side effects such as -
- Metastasis - Ovarian cancer typically begins from the ovaries of the woman, however if left undiagnosed and untreated in could spread to other parts of their body such as the brain, liver, bone and lungs thereby causing more damage.
- Ascites and Pleural Effusion - Another side effect of ovarian cancer is that it may also result in ascites which is the accumulation of fluids in the stomach of the woman. Pleural effusion is a side effect that manifests in the form of accumulation of fluids between the chest cavity and the lungs of the woman.
References
- http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-risk-factors
- http://www.ovariancancer.org/about-ovarian-cancer/risk-factors/
Submitted by N S on April 30, 2013 at 04:03