About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is another well
known threat to women's health. Unfortunately, there is no reliable screening
tool available to detect it in its early stages other than yearly pelvic
exam by an experienced physician. The risk of ovarian cancer is increased
with age, family history of cancer, and with high fat diets and obesity.
Lately, a lot of publicity has been given to a blood test called the CA-125,
and many women have been asking their doctors if they can have this test.
Although it was originally intended to be a breakthrough in the early diagnosis
of ovarian cancer, it has not been found to be useful in that manner. Many
other conditions cause this test to be abnormal and it is now mainly used
to follow the progress of treatment of ovarian cancer. For this reason,
your physician will probably discourage the use of this test at your yearly
exam. The symptoms of ovarian cancer usually do not manifest themselves
until the disease has progressed and they include an increase in abdominal
girth or a feeling of fullness in the pelvic or abdominal area.
Women's Health Tips * MidSouth
Citizen Site