citizensmemorial.com 9 Could you be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer risk factors It’s impossible to predict for certain who will get the disease, but factors that can increase your risk include: Breast cancer news stories are common, but few stories discuss its deadlier cousin, ovarian cancer. Here’s what you need to know. What is ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer can involve the ovaries or related areas of the fallopian tubes or peritoneum— the membrane that lines abdominal organs. One in 91 women will get ovarian cancer, compared with 1 in 8 for breast cancer. Although it is much less common than breast cancer, ovarian cancer is still one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. What symptoms should I look out for? The symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific and are often the same as symptoms caused by other conditions. Common complaints include: ● Bloating. ● Pelvic or abdominal pain. ● Trouble eating or a feeling of fullness. ● Feeling like you need to urinate right away. ● Constipation. ● Back pain. ● Pain during sex. ● A swollen belly, combined with weight loss. Reach out to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms. If you don’t have a doctor, you can find one at citizensmemorial.com. Sources: American Cancer Society; National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Your age. The disease is most common in women 55 years and older. Your pregnancy history. Women who have never been pregnant or had a full-term pregnancy, or those who had their first full-term pregnancy after age 35, are at higher risk. Your weight. Being at an unhealthy weight increases risk. If you carry certain genes. These include the breast cancer genes. Your race/ethnicity. White women and women with Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish backgrounds are at higher risk. Your personal or family medical history. Having a close female relative with ovarian cancer or a family or personal history of breast, uterine or colorectal cancer raises your risk. If you have endometriosis. If you smoke.
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