| One of the cancers that are among the | | | | include irregular menstrual cycles |
| deadliest is ovarian caner. It is rare, | | | | (although many women have these anyway, |
| but it is among the most deadly, with a | | | | but someone prone to cancer will find |
| low survival rate in the final two | | | | that birth control does not properly |
| stages. This is because it is a | | | | regulate it), frequent nausea and fever, |
| relatively silent killer that often | | | | and vaginal bleeding. A frequent need to |
| progresses beyond any hope of healing | | | | use the bathroom is another indication |
| before it is discovered. New tests are | | | | of the possibility of ovarian cancer. |
| allowing doctors to catch this disease | | | | All of these things need to be discussed |
| earlier, improving chances of survival, | | | | with your doctor so that she or he knows |
| but it is still a little-known menace | | | | what the possibilities might be. |
| that affects women. | | | | Behaviors that are though to reduce the |
| Ovarian cancer initially attacks the | | | | risk (although nothing can completely |
| ovaries. As with most cancers, the exact | | | | eradicate the risk of ovarian cancer) |
| cause of the cancer is not completely | | | | include healthy diet and exercise, oral |
| known. However, it does start in the | | | | contraceptives, breastfeeding, and |
| ovaries. If caught soon enough, the | | | | having at least one full-term pregnancy. |
| ovaries can usually be removed, with a | | | | Of course, none of these behaviors are |
| very god chance of success. The key, | | | | complete protection against any illness, |
| however, is catching the cancer early. | | | | including cancer, but it can help you |
| It needs to be caught in its first or | | | | reduce your chance of developing it. |
| second stage for the best chance of | | | | Surgical procedures are also thought to |
| survival. And therein lies the problem. | | | | help. Things like having your tubes |
| Most of the time, the cancer is not | | | | "tied" and also the removal of the |
| found until it is in the third or fourth | | | | ovaries can reduce your risk as well. |
| stage. These stages are pretty much too | | | | Although, interestingly enough, even |
| late for most people. The fourth stage | | | | removing your ovaries does not |
| especially, as by this time the cancer | | | | completely eliminate your chances of |
| has probably spread throughout the body. | | | | developing ovarian cancer (even though |
| This cancer cannot be detected by a pap | | | | it helps significantly). |
| smear. Therefore, it is important that | | | | By understanding your family history and |
| you inform your doctor of a family | | | | taking care to live a healthy lifestyle, |
| history of ovarian cancer (genetics is | | | | you can probably avoid ovarian cancer. |
| the main indicator and cause) and any | | | | It is a rare cancer, but more deadly |
| other irregularities. Even though | | | | perhaps because of that rarity. Most |
| improved tests can help detect the | | | | women are not likely to get it, but it |
| cancer earlier than before, it is | | | | is a good idea to be on your guard, |
| important that your physician be on the | | | | especially if there is a history of |
| look out for indicators. | | | | ovarian cancer in your family. |
| Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer | | | | |