Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in your ovaries or fallopian tubes grow and multiply out of control. There are often no symptoms in the early stages, but a person may notice pain or pressure in the lower abdomen and vaginal bleeding.
What Are the Different Types of Ovarian Cancer?
All ovarian cancers involve one or both ovaries or the nearby tissue that covers organs in the abdomen (belly area). There are three types of ovarian cancers and they include:
Epithelial ovarian cancer: Most epithelial ovarian tumors are benign. However, cancerous epithelial tumors (also known as epithelial ovarian carcinomas) are the most common type of ovarian cancer. There are many subtypes of cancerous epithelial tumors such as serous carcinomas, endometrioid carcinomas, mucinous carcinomas, and clear cell carcinomas.
Stromal ovarian cancer: Even less common than ovarian germ cell tumors are ovarian stromal cell tumors (also called sex cord tumors and sex cord-gonadal stromal tumors), representing about 1 percent of all ovarian cancers, according to the ACS. They develop from the stromal tissue cells that produce the female hormones of estrogen and progesterone.
Germ cell cancer: They begin in the reproductive cells, which are in the eggs for women and sperm for men. Germ cell tumors make up less than 2 percent of all ovarian cancers, according to the ACS, and have a high survival rate. Some of the most common subtypes of germ-cell ovarian tumors are: teratomas, dysgerminoma, endodermal sinus tumors (yolk sac tumor), and choriocarcinoma tumors.
What Are Some Early Signs of Ovarian Cancer?
These symptoms of ovarian cancer can develop at any stage of the condition. They include:
Abdominal pain – It is very common for tumors growing in the pelvis to cause pain in the lower abdomen.
Urinary frequency – Sometimes you might feel the urge to pee, but when you try only a little trickle (or even nothing) may come out. An increased urge to urinate occurs when ovarian cancer cells have studded the outside of the bladder wall or when ascites in the pelvis compress the bladder, causing women to feel like they have to urinate more frequently.
Loss of appetite – Ascites, the same fluid build-up that causes some ovarian cancer patients to feel bloated, may also result in a loss of appetite or feeling full more quickly.
What Are the Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer?
Research has shown that certain risk factors increase the likelihood of getting ovarian cancer. Some of these risk factors include:
a. Family history: Women with a grandmother, mother, daughter, or sister with ovarian cancer but no known genetic mutation may still have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
b. Gene Mutation (BRCA1 and BRCA2): About 20 to 25 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a hereditary tendency to develop the disease. The most significant risk factor for ovarian cancer is an inherited genetic mutation in one of two genes: breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) or breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2).
c. Personal cancer history: Women who have had breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer have a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Having endometriosis increases the risk of clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancers.
d. Fertility problems: People who have never been pregnant are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than people who have been pregnant.
How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?
Tests and procedures used to diagnose ovarian cancer include:
• Pelvic exam – During a pelvic exam, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and simultaneously presses a hand on your abdomen to feel (palpate) your pelvic organs. The doctor also visually examines your external genitalia, vagina, and cervix.
• Imaging Tests – Tests, such as ultrasound or CT scans of your abdomen and pelvis, may help determine the size, shape, and structure of your ovaries.
• Genetic testing – Your doctor may recommend testing a sample of your blood to look for gene changes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Self-Care Tips:
Leafy Green Vegetables. Dark leafy green vegetables have an abundance of fiber and carotenoids. They are the cornerstone of any healthy diet. These are full of antioxidants and beta-carotene that help protect against cancer. These include mustard green, spinach, kale, collard greens, and chicory. Eating more of these foods give little room for foods high in sugar.
Drink Green Tea. One of the main powers of green tea is the antioxidant levels. Remember that antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, and as a result there is a decrease in overall body inflammation. Green tea has a natural antioxidant known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG which has been found to reduce the risk of several cancers to include bladder cancer.
Garlic and onions. Garlic and onions contain many known cancer fighting ingredients and belong to the allium family. These foods have ability to suppress proliferation of several cancers by limiting the progression of cancer cells, and induce program cell death; a process known as apoptosis. These foods are high in flavonols, and organosulfur compounds which both lend to their high free radical scavenging abilities. The high levels of antioxidants are thought to prevent mutations, regulate key cellular enzyme functions, and interfere with the development of cancers. One study shows that consuming vegetables from the allium family decreases the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 79%. Garlic and onions can block the formation of nitrosamines, a powerful carcinogen that targets several sites in the body usually the colon, pancreas, esophagus, liver, and breasts. Other vegetables from allium family include leaks, spring onions, and garlic stalks.
Wild-Caught Fish. Wild caught fatty fish like salmon and trout are well-known sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These are key for the maintenance and growth of the human body. These fish are high in quality proteins such as iron, zinc, copper, vitamin D, and B12. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help delay, or reduce the development of certain cancers, specifically in breast and prostate. Studies also show that when combining vitamin D3 with omega-3 fatty acids, there is a cumulative reduction in cancer risks.
Cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables contain high amounts of phytochemicals called sulforaphane which has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers to include breast, colon and prostate cancers. Additionally, many of these vegetables are high in glutathione which has an important role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Low levels of glutathione have been shown to increase susceptibility to oxidative stress, which is implicated in the progression and development of certain cancers. Some of the best cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and collard greens. These are all excellent sources of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and magnesium.
Blueberries for health. Berries in general are rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants are important in reducing the amount of free radicals that can damage our cells. Additionally, blueberries contain phytochemicals and nutrients which have anti-cancer effects. Berries, specifically, blueberries also reduce the abnormal cell growth that fuels cancer development.
Turmeric and more. Turmeric, which contains the active ingredient curcumin, is known to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the root of many diseases to include cancer; specifically colorectal and breast cancer. The curcumin in turmeric is also noted to decrease swelling, and inflammation. Curcumin is being studied as a method to prevent cancer in people with some pre-cancerous conditions. Turmeric is also known to prevent and slow the spread of cancer.
Things to remove from your diet; specifically lectins.
What are Lectins?Lectins are a part of the plant’s natural defense system to protect its babies from predators to include humans. It does so by making us sick and inhibits the way in which we are able to digest foods. Lectins can bind to sugars in carbohydrates and prevent how well we absorb nutrients. To that end, lectins are a known cause of inflammation. Lectins when consumed in large amounts only fuel the development of cancers.
Highest amount of lectins can be found in the following:
Legumes (peanuts and cashews)
Nightshade products (tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes)
Grains: rice, oats, barley, wheat, quinoa etc.
Peppers: bell and chili
Seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, chia
Squash; butternut, acorn squash, zucchini, pumpkin
Beans and peas
Dairy products from North American cows
Others: Corn, soy products, lentils, edamame
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
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