Ovarian cancer: preventive measures to keep the “silent killer” at bay

Reproductive health care for women is the most important element of their overall well-being. Empowering women to make the right decision about their reproductive health enables them to lead better lives. It’s important to approach the topic of women’s reproductive health holistically because it impacts their decision to control their lives, as well as when and whether they have children. The ovaries are two small glands located on both sides of the uterus in the biological female and are an integral part of their reproductive system. They produce the female hormones progesterone and estrogen and release the “egg” each month before menstruation begins.

The ovaries therefore play a very essential role in determining certain aspects of the female body such as breast development, body hair and body shape. Even though these organs play an indispensable role in a woman’s reproductive life from puberty to menopause, the discourse around ovarian health is very limited.

Women may face several problems like hormonal problems, cysts, etc. from their puberty, which in most cases, when treated at the right time, do not lead to additional complications. However, for this to happen, we need to increase awareness of the importance of reproductive health. In ovarian diseases, ovarian cancer is one of the dreaded and sinister problems that a woman faces.

Ovarian cancer, which is one of the deadliest problems facing women today, is actually a “silent killer.” Women must therefore be taught to be wary of their symptoms, as they are so common that most go undetected and, therefore, untreated.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer range from pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, to constipation, weight loss, and bloating in the lower abdomen. These are all very common symptoms for a host of other illnesses. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer should have annual exams and screenings. Both genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been shown to cause ovarian and breast cancer. People with a family history of either cancer should therefore undergo genetic testing to help them adopt preventive measures well in advance.

Lifestyle choices also play an important role in preventing the onset of cancer. The modern lifestyle has many pitfalls and has a resounding impact on women’s health in the form of early onset of breast cancer, polycystic ovarian syndrome, etc. Overweight and obese people have increased, although low, risks of developing ovarian cancer. It is therefore advisable to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle from puberty. People who have taken postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy are also at risk of developing ovarian cancer. Oral contraception is often cited as a strong measure against ovarian cancer. However, not all bodies accept oral contraceptives well, so you should always consult your doctor before taking the pill.

In the treatment of ovarian cancer, what plays a decisive role is early detection, and for this we need to raise awareness among women. However, not everyone is comfortable or willing to discuss their menstrual or ovarian health, and so the topic should be approached with sensitivity and understanding. Getting annual screenings and check-ups is very important as soon as women start menstruating and is the first form of defense not only against ovarian cancer, but also against a host of other conditions. of the female reproductive system.

The female body is incredibly resilient and complex. He can bring new life to this world through the birth of offspring. There should be a concerted effort to better understand women’s bodies and the resulting knowledge should be used to empower women and their loved ones to help them make better choices for their health.

(Author: Dr Ninad Katdare, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, HCG ICS Khubchandani Cancer Centre, Colaba)