Also, we know that tubal ligation and hysterectomy lower the risk of ovarian cancer. One theory to explain this is that some cancer-causing substances may enter the body through the vagina and pass through the uterus and fallopian tubes to reach the ovaries. This would explain how removing the uterus or blocking the fallopian tubes affects ovarian cancer risk. Researchers have made great progress in understanding how certain mutations changes in DNA can cause normal cells to become cancerous.
DNA is the chemical that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA.
A study from notes that having the ovaries removed may lower the risk, but the authors urge people to be aware that ovarian cancer remains a possibility. The National LGBT Cancer Network point out that transgender people may have difficulty seeking regular medical help due to concerns about revealing their gender identity. They encourage people to ask friends, their local hospital, and their insurance company to find a suitable doctor who can help them take care of their health and their body.
If a healthcare professional diagnoses ovarian cancer, they will need to determine the stage and grade to decide on a treatment plan. The stage refers to how far the cancer has spread. For example:. Getting an early diagnosis usually means that treatment can be more effective.
However, other factors can affect this. There are over 30 types of ovarian cancer, depending on the type of cell in which they start. Epithelial tumors are the most common and the most invasive.
Germ cell tumors are often benign. If routine screening or symptoms suggest that a person may have ovarian cancer, a doctor will typically:. Laparoscopy : A healthcare professional will insert a thin tube with a camera attached through a small hole in the abdomen, to see the ovaries and perhaps take a tissue sample for a biopsy.
Only a biopsy can confirm that a person has cancer. A healthcare professional may do this as part of the initial assessment or following surgery to remove a tumor. What does a biopsy involve? Learn more here. Options tend to include :. Surgery : The choice will depend on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Surgical options include a hysterectomy, removing one or both ovaries, and removing affected lymph nodes.
A doctor will discuss suitable options with the individual. Chemotherapy : These drugs aim to kill cancer cells. If a person takes chemotherapy drugs by mouth or as an injection or infusion, they will affect the whole body. Another option is intraperitoneal chemotherapy. In this case, a tube delivers the drug directly to the body area affected by cancer.
Chemotherapy can have widespread adverse effects, especially if it affects the whole body. Learn more about chemotherapy, including its adverse effects, here. Targeted therapy : Some treatments target specific cells that help promote cancer growth. Examples include monoclonal antibody therapy and angiongenesis inhibitors.
Women who breastfeed further reduce their risk. Birth control: Women who have used oral contraceptives for at least three months are at a lower risk of ovarian cancer. The risk is lower the longer the contraceptives are taken. The lower risk continues for many years after contraceptives are stopped. Gynecologic surgery: A tubal ligation tying the fallopian tubes or hysterectomy removing the uterus but not the ovaries reduces the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Next topic: What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer? Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research. Call us anytime. This page was updated on September 25, Other conditions may be linked high-risk mutations or increase your risk of ovarian cancer, including:. The longer you use birth control pills, the lower your risk may be. The protection it offers may last as long as 30 years after you stop taking the pill. Getting your tubes tied also lowers your risk of this type of cancer.
Breast-feeding may also lower your risk of ovarian cancer. These tumors are made up of abnormal cells that can potentially become cancerous. The chances of this happening, however, are low. According to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance , you may also be at higher risk of ovarian cancer if you:. Your risk of ovarian cancer increases with age. In fact, the ACS reports that half of all diagnoses occur in women age 63 or older.
In contrast, ovarian cancer is quite rare in women under age In the United States, non-Hispanic white women have the highest risk of ovarian cancer, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hispanic women have the next highest risk. The relationship between ovarian cancer and diet is unclear. But having a body mass index of 30 or higher increases your risk.
Adolescent obesity is also linked to higher risk, warns the NCI. Women who are 5 feet 8 inches or taller may also be at slightly higher risk of ovarian cancer.
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