Bucktail Medical Center Reminds You to be Aware of Ovarian Cancer

September marks the beginning of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time to support current patients and educate the public on ovarian cancer. Your friends are Bucktail Medical Center want to help you as you try to educate yourself and remain vigilant about your own health. Ovarian cancer is estimated to affect just under 20,000 American women each year. Since the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be easy to miss, and no diagnostic test exists for ovarian cancer, awareness around the disease is extremely important for early detection and intervention.

•Signs and Symptoms
Only about 20% of cases are diagnosed in the early stages, since symptoms often don’t appear until the disease is in more advanced stages. Some common symptoms of ovarian cancer include, bloating, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, pelvic/abdominal pain, urinary frequency, fatigue, menstrual changes, back pain and upset stomach, heartburn, or constipation. It’s important to visit your doctor if any of these symptoms persist for two weeks or more.

•Treatment
Like most other cancers, treatment for ovarian cancer can include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Additional services such as massage, acupuncture, and yoga are less about the cure and more about relieving stress and limiting the side effects of other treatments.

•Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer. These risk factors include being a woman, weight, childbirth later in life, hormone replacement therapy, family history, inherited genetic mutation, fertility treatment and smoking.

If you have a personal or family history of cancer, it’s especially important to make sure you have blood tests and screenings periodically. Practicing healthy behaviors and habits such as incorporating exercise in your day, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking, can all decrease your risk. If you are a mother, you can also reduce your risk by breastfeeding if you are able.

Every September, the nationwide movement to raise awareness for ovarian cancer takes place. Knowing the warning signs, symptoms and risk factors is key for early detection and intervention for this often difficult to detect cancer. You can learn more about this cancer, and other cancers by visiting your Primary Care Physician. Don’t have a Primary Care Physician? Call Bucktail Medical Center’s Community Clinic at 1-570-923-1019 and make an appointment today.