Ovarian Health

Ovarian cancer starts in a woman's ovaries. The two ovaries, one on each side of the pelvis, produce eggs and are the main source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. The sixth most common cancer (other than skin cancer), ovarian cancer also ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death in women. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other reproductive organ cancer. Most women who have ovarian cancer are old. In fact, over half of all ovarian cancers are found in women over the age of 65. The chances of survival are high only if the cancer is found at an early stage. If the cancer is found and treated before it has spread outside the ovary, 95% of women will survive at least five years. However, only 25% of ovarian cancers are found at this early stage. About 78% of all women with ovarian cancer survive at least one year after the cancer is found, and over half survive longer than five years.

Ovarian cancer does not have any symptoms in its early stages. The ovaries lie deep within the pelvis, which is why early tumors are hard for even skilled doctors to find. For such reasons, only 25% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. 
Contact your doctor if you are suffering from the following symptoms. It is pertinent to mention here that these problems are often caused by something other than cancer.

As told earlier, ovarian cancer shows no symptoms in its early stages. According to reports, the only effective means of detecting ovarian cancer is transvaginal ultrasound. Due to late detection of this ailment, patient’s odds of survival are often poor. Moreover, studies have also shown that breast feeding and taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives) may decrease a woman’s likelihood of developing ovarian cancer, as these factors decrease the number times a woman ovulates. Research suggests that reducing the number of ovulations during a woman’s lifetime may lower the risk of ovarian cancer.

Although the exact cause of ovarian cancer is still not known, doctors and researchers have pointed out various risk factors. (A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of getting a disease). One important thing to remember is that while risk factors increase the odds of getting a disease, they do not guarantee it will occur. For instance, we know that on the average, women who have their first child after age 30 have a slightly greater risk of developing ovarian cancer than women who had their first child before age 30. This does not mean that most women with ovarian cancer who had their first child after age 30 could have prevented the cancer by having that child earlier. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer might want to consider genetic counseling and possibly testing, as it might occur in women who have a mother, sister or a daughter suffering from it. Women with breast cancer also have more chances of getting this ailment. Asbestos exposure also leads to ovarian cancer. Risk factors for the most common type of ovarian cancer are:

Age. Most ovarian cancers occur after menopause. Half of all ovarian cancers are found in women over 65.
Fertility drugs. Some studies have found that long-time use of the fertility drug clomiphene citrate, without achieving pregnancy, may increase a woman's risk for having a type of tumor called LMP tumor (low malignancy potential). But infertility also increases the risk of ovarian cancer, even without use of fertility drugs. A woman taking this drug should discuss the issues with her doctor.
Menstrual history. There seems to be a relationship between the number of menstrual cycles in a woman's lifetime and her risk of having ovarian cancer. More monthly periods may be linked to an increased risk. Women who started having periods at an early age (before age 12), who go through menopause late, who have no children (or who had their first child after age 30), may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding may lower the risk since menstrual periods may not occur during nursing.
Family history of ovarian cancer. Having a mother, sister, or daughter with ovarian cancer increases the risk, especially if they developed the cancer at a young age. A woman can inherit a higher risk for ovarian cancer from either her mother's or her father's side of the family. About 7% of ovarian cancers result from inherited risks. Gene changes (mutations) are involved in these cancers. 
Breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Diet. The American Cancer Society recommends choosing most foods from plant sources (fruits, vegetables, whole grain products) and limiting intake of high fat foods, especially those from animal sources. Most women will have one or more of these risk factors, but that does not mean they will develop ovarian cancer. So far, knowledge about risk factors has not been translated into practical ways to prevent most cases of ovarian cancer. Some of the actions listed below may reduce the risk only slightly, while others may decrease it much more. If you are concerned about your risk of ovarian cancer, especially if you have a family history of this cancer, you should discuss this information with your doctor.
Birth control pills. Women who have taken birth control pills for at least five years have a lower risk of ovarian cancer.
Tubal ligation or hysterectomy. Women who have had their tubes "tied" to prevent pregnancy or who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may have a lower risk of ovarian cancer. However, these operations should only be done when there is a valid medical reason, and not simply for their effect on ovarian cancer risk.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnancy and breastfeeding seem to lower the risk of ovarian cancer, especially when a woman has her first baby before age 30. But choices about when to have a child should not be made just for the purpose of reducing ovarian cancer risk, especially since using birth control pills will have a similar impact.

Immediately contact your gynecologist, if you are suffering from the above-mentioned symptoms.

Stay healthy by avoiding stress and maintaining a proper, balanced diet. Ask your doctor or a dietian to chart out a proper meal plan for you to follow.

Remember that your body is unique, and so are your emotional needs and personal circumstances. In some ways, your cancer is like no one else's. No one can predict how your cancer will respond to treatment. Statistics can paint an overall picture, but you may have special strengths such as a healthy immune system, a strong family support system, or a deep spiritual faith. All of these have an impact on how you cope with cancer.

Cancer treatment can make you feel tired. Give yourself time to recover. Don't feel you have to rush back to work or resume all of your normal activities right away. Do as much as you can to help yourself stay healthy and active. If you smoke, try to quit. Ask your doctor or nurse for ideas about how to quit smoking. Eat a balanced diet of healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Once you get your strength back, try to exercise a few hours each week. Check with your doctor before you start an exercise program. Your doctor can suggest the types of exercise that are right for you. Your doctor or nurse can suggest other resources that might help you during your recovery from treatment. There are many support groups that provide emotional support, friendship, and understanding.