This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 21,000 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and over 12,000 women will lose their lives to the disease.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting one of the deadliest gynecological cancers and one that currently has no screening or early detection test.
Recognizing the signs and understanding the risks associated with this disease can help improve the outcome, but is education and advocacy the only thing that will help?
Maybe at one time, but not anymore.
Symptoms and Signs of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that forms in the ovaries and, as recent evidence suggests, may also start in the fallopian tubes. As the cells multiply, they can develop into tumors that can invade and spread to different parts of the body, destroying healthy tissue in their path.
When ovarian cancer develops, it may not cause any noticeable symptoms until its later stages. Even at this stage, symptoms of ovarian cancer can be easily attributed to other, more common conditions.
Ovarian cancer symptoms, when they present themselves, may include the following:
- Abdominal bloating or swelling
- Feeling full in the midst of eating
- Weight loss
- Pelvic area discomfort
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- Increased need to urinate
If you begin to experience symptoms of ovarian cancer or you find specific bodily changes alarming, seek help from a medical professional to rule out underlying concerns.
Understanding the Risks and Causes of Ovarian Cancer
Protecting yourself from an ovarian cancer prognosis begins with answering one question: What causes ovarian cancer?
The exact cause of many ovarian cancers is unknown. Doctors have determined that the cancer begins when cells in or near the ovaries experience DNA mutations, telling the cells to grow and multiply quickly. This DNA change creates a mass, called a tumor, of cancer cells that eventually metastasizes to other areas of the body.
Despite its uncertain origins, ongoing research has been able to identify several factors that can heighten your risk of developing one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. These may include:
- Older age
- Inherited genetic mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which also increase the risk of breast cancer)
- Family history of ovarian cancer
- Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic radiation exposure
- Starting the menstrual cycle before 12 years old
- Starting menopause after 52 years old
- Never having given birth
Can an MRI Detect Ovarian Cancer? The Role of a Full Body MRI in Early Detection
Ovarian cancer is projected to take the lives of about 12,730 women this year. With no current screening test, is it possible to improve your outcome with early detection?
With the help of a whole-body MRI scan, perhaps.
A full body MRI scan takes detailed images of the body’s internal structure, from your brain to your lungs to your pelvic region. With the ability to screen for nearly 500 health conditions, including silent cancer killers such as ovarian cancer, your medical team may be able to spot masses that could develop into the disease before it has progressed.
A full-body MRI scan is designed to help you take a proactive approach to your health. If you have a genetic predisposition that puts you at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, or find yourself falling into another risk category, you may benefit from the peace of mind a full body scan can offer.
Is an Ovarian Cancer MRI the Right Choice? Find Out with MRI Wellness
A full body scan is a painless, non-invasive means of helping those who present a high risk for certain conditions to gain peace of mind and regain control over their health.
Schedule your full-body MRI in Charleston, SC, and take the first step toward peace of mind today.
