Ovarian cancer is a silent killer that is often diagnosed too late.

Knowing your body and what's normal for you is vital if youre to fight off this condition. It is important for you to know the earliest warning signs and your risks of developing ovarian cancer.

Here are some essential facts about ovarian cancer that you should know.

Types:

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The cells where cancer begins determines the type of ovarian cancer you'll have based on molecular characteristics.

1. Epithelial tumours begin in the thin layer of tissue that covers the outside of the ovaries.
2. Other types are stromal and germ cell tumours.

Key Risk Factors:

Ovarian cancer has several key risk factors,

1. if you have a family history of ovarian cancer you may be at higher risk.
2. It is possible to have an inherited gene mutation that occurs in a small percentage of ovarian cancers.
3. Long-term use of estrogen hormone replacement therapy, especially in large doses may be a triggering factor.
4. Fertility treatments and polycystic ovary syndrome are also risk factors.
5. If you're a woman who've had breast cancer or certain other types of cancer you're at increased risk.
6. Age does matter, if you're over age 50 you have higher odds of developing the disease.
7. If you're obese you have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer than if non-obese and the heavier you are the higher the risk.
8. A menstrual history of having very early menses or ending your menstrual cycles later in life may put you at higher risk of ovarian cancer

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms :

Ovarian cancer may be asymptomatic or may cause symptoms that can be easily overlooked or mistaken for other common conditions. Symptoms may include.

1. Abdominal bloating or swelling
2. Always feeling full
3. Weight loss, or gain,
4. Frequent and urgent need to urinate.
5. Constipation or diarrhoea,
6. Nausea, indigestion.
7. Pain in the abdomen.
8. Other symptoms are back pain, vaginal bleeding especially if you are past menopause, have abnormal vaginal discharge or shortness of breath.

Diagnostic Process: An ovarian cancer diagnosis is done by reviewing the medical history, a pelvic examination. Blood tests look for tumour markers. Scans and Imaging diagnostic tools used include ultrasounds, MRI or CT scans. These can help to identify if a mass is present in the pelvic cavity. A biopsy of mass detected from an imaging

There are four stages of ovarian cancer. Staging refers to the extent to which cancer has spread to other organs or tissues and is typically evaluated during surgery. 

Early detection: Early detection is critical.  When detected early enough it is more likely to be treated successfully. Particularly in early-stage ovarian cancer where the disease is confined to the ovary. However, it may not be possible to recognize the early symptoms of ovarian cancer because they are often silent.

Early symptoms are mild or easy to ignore. Even the symptoms of an advanced ovarian cancer are nonspecific and may be mistaken for symptoms of a benign condition. Many ovarian cancers go undetected until it has metastases and the prognosis is poor.

Late-stage ovarian cancer is more difficult to treat because cancer can occur deep inside the pelvic region and spread within the pelvis and abdomen.

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