How do you know if you have ovarian caner?? because I've been getting pain in the area. I'm 16 but my mom says its just a sist (because they run in my family)but they hurt so bad. My doctor said it is lack of fiber but it isnt...i have enough fiber in my diet and my poop is fine...but i feel it's more and my doctor is old so he might hae no idea what he's talking about. and lately I've felt really tired for no reason. So what do you think?? Time for you to have a pap smear. My girls started getting theirs around your age. They will do all the tests and tell you all the results. Dont guess around at something like this, it is very serious. See a doctor..if your mom dont take you then go to your local clinic on your own..they will see you. Also get that new vaccine against cervical cancer. Do it soon. Cancer rarely hurts. Pain from cancer is usually from the tumor pushing on or constricting other parts. I think you need to see a different doctor and not leave their office until they perform an appropriate exam and you are satisfied. You don't want to mess around. Your doctor would probably know if you had cancer..especially if you had a pap smear. If you are really concerned..Get another pap smear. I wouldn't panic just yet, having "pain in the area" doesn't mean you have cancer. Have you been to a gyn doctor? If not, explain to your Mom how worried you are and ask her to take you to one just to ease your mind. The gyn will most likely do a pelvic exam and maybe order an ultrasound. Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women in the U.S. with over 25,000 women newly diagnosed each year with this disease. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women and frequently does not result in symptoms until the cancer has spread extensively. Less than one-third of ovarian cancers are detected before they have spread outside of the ovaries.
Ovarian cancer actually represents a group of different tumors that arise from diverse types of tissue contained within the ovary. The most common type of ovarian cancer arises from the epithelial cells (the outside layer of cells ) of the surface of the ovary. Other, rare types of ovarian cancer develop from the egg-forming germ cells or from the supporting tissue (stroma) of the organ. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors and cysts are also found in the ovary and are much more common than ovarian cancers.
The majority of ovarian cancers are diagnosed late, after the cancers have spread. Only about 20% of women are diagnosed early, when the disease may be curable. There is no definitive screening test for early ovarian cancer. Regular pelvic examinations, sometimes supplemented by ultrasound examinations or blood tests for cancer-related markers, have been routinely used for ovarian cancer screening, but none of these tests are specifically able to detect ovarian cancer. Traditionally, it was believed that ovarian cancer does not produce any characteristic symptoms until the tumor is widespread, and that early symptoms of ovarian cancer were not recognizable.
However, in June 2007, the American Cancer Society, along with other medical societies including the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, released a consensus statement about possible early symptoms of ovarian cancer. This statement was based on research suggesting that some of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer can, in fact, be recognized. In particular, possible early ovarian cancer symptoms include the following:
Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Urgent or frequent urination
Difficulty eating or feeling full very quickly
Symptoms, Early Warning Signs, and Risk Factors
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad St枚ppler, MD
Medical Editors: Dennis Lee, MD and William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Cancer of the ovary (ovarian cancer) is the seventh most common cancer in women in the U.S. with over 25,000 women newly diagnosed each year. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. It frequently does not result in symptoms until the cancer has spread extensively beyond the ovary.
Ovarian cancer actually represents a group of different tumors that arise from diverse types of tissue contained within the ovary. The most common type of ovarian cancer arises from the epithelial cells (the outside layer of cells) of the surface of the ovary. Other, rare types of ovarian cancer develop from the egg-forming germ cells or from the supporting tissue (stroma) of the organ. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors and cysts are also found in the ovary and are much more common than ovarian cancers.
The majority of ovarian cancers are diagnosed late, after the cancers have spread. Only about 20% of women are diagnosed early, when the disease may be curable. There is no definitive screening test for early ovarian cancer. Regular pelvic examinations, sometimes supplemented by ultrasound examinations or blood tests for cancer-related markers, have been routinely used for ovarian cancer screening, but none of these tests are specifically able to detect ovarian cancer. Traditionally, it was believed that ovarian cancer does not produce any characteristic symptoms until the tumor is widespread, and that early symptoms of ovarian cancer were not recognizable.
However, in June 2007, the American Cancer Society, along with other medical societies including the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, released a consensus statement about possible early symptoms of ovarian cancer. This statement was based on research suggesting that some of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer can, in fact, be recognized. In particular, possible early ovarian cancer symptoms include the following:
Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Urgent or frequent urination
Difficulty eating or feeling full very quickly
The researchers note that women who have these problems should see a gynecologist for cancer screening if these problems are new, if the symptoms are severe, and if they have been present continuously for over two to three weeks.
It is important for women to remember that these symptoms do not necessarily mean that a woman has ovarian cancer, as many other harmless conditions can produce similar symptoms. Moreover, other causes for these symptoms are far more common than ovarian cancer and, for example, include irritable bowel syndrome and urinary tract infection. Women may also experience some of these symptoms in the premenstrual phase of their monthly cycle.
Doctors do not know exactly what causes ovarian cancer. However, some factors and conditions may increase a woman's risk of developing this condition. Risk factors for the development of ovarian cancer include:
A family history of ovarian cancer. Women who have one or more close relatives with the disease have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Certain genes, such as the BRCA 1 and 2 genes, are inherited and result in a high risk for development of ovarian cancer.
A family history of breast or colon cancer also confers an increased risk for the development of ovarian cancer.
Age. Women over 50 are more likely than younger women to get ovarian cancer, and the risk is even greater after age 60. About 50% of ovarian cancers occur in women over 63 years of age.
Childbearing and menstruation. Women who have never given birth have a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer than women who have had children. In fact, the number of childbirths correlates directly with a decrease in risk for developing ovarian cancer. The likely explanation for this risk factor seems to be related to the number of menstrual periods a women has had in her lifetime. Those who began menstruating early (before age 12), had no children, had their first child after age 30, and/or experienced menopause after age 50 have a greater chance of developing ovarian cancer than the general population.
Medications. Some studies show that women who have taken fertility drugs, or hormone therapy after menopause, may have a slightly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. The use of oral contraceptive pills, on the other hand, seems to decrease a women's chance of getting the disease.
The American Cancer society reports that obese women have a higher rate of death from ovarian cancer than women of normal weight.
Talcum powder use. Some studies report a slightly elevated risk of ovarian cancer in women who regularly apply talcum powder to the genital area. A similar risk has not been reported for corn starch powders.
The lifetime risk for development of ovarian cancer is less than 2% among the general population. If you have a family history of ovarian cancer or other types of cancer, your doctor can help you decide whether genetic testing or other cancer screening procedures might be appropriate for you.
For more
125 is a protein that is a so鈥揷alled tumor marker or biomarker, which is a substance that is found in greater concentration in tumor cells than in other cells of the body. In particular, CA 125 is present in greater concentration in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. Its function is not currently understood. CA stands for cancer antigen.
How is CA 125 measured?
CA 125 is usually measured from a blood sample. It can also be measured in fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity. The tests currently in use are all based upon the use of an antibody that is directed against the CA 125 protein (monoclonal antibody technique).
In 1996, an improved version of the test was introduced and is sometimes denoted as CA 125 鈥?II. The numerical figure of the second generation test results may be higher or lower than a first generation test. When comparing multiple test results over time, it can be important to know which method was used. I don't believe you have ovarian cancer. Not at all.
Have your mother take you to a gynecologist---maybe you would be more comfortable with a female doctor?
She can do an internal exam and find out exactly what it is. You may need to go get a sonogram. You will drink a lot of water, then they will take a wand and place it on the outside of your belly so they can see inside (they do not put the wand inside you). |
