Women with these factors may be "targeted" by ovarian cancer! Learn these tips to prevent it

Ovarian cancer, breast cancer and uterine cancer are known as the "three major killers" that threaten women's health. In the past 10 years, the incidence of ovarian cancer in my country has increased by 30%, and the mortality rate has increased by 18%, with about 15,000 women dying from it every year.

According to Wang Huazhong, director of the Third Oncology Department of Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine), the age of onset of ovarian cancer is mostly around 45 years old, and 70% of patients are in the middle or late stages when diagnosed. The five-year survival rate is only 30% - 40%, which seriously affects the life and health of women.

Why is it called the "silent killer"?

1. Hidden location and difficult to detect: The ovaries are located deep in the pelvic cavity, and lesions are not easy to detect.

2. Symptoms are atypical and easy to confuse: Early symptoms such as abdominal distension and discomfort are similar to stomach diseases and gastroenteritis and are difficult to distinguish.

3. Limited screening methods: Ultrasound, CT, MRI and tumor marker tests are all unable to effectively detect early. Taking the commonly used tumor marker CA125 as an example, the value of early ovarian cancer patients may not be high, and some benign lesions can also cause it to increase. The sensitivity and specificity are not ideal.

High imitation "gastrointestinal" diseases, beware of misdiagnosis

The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are not obvious, but some patients may experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, etc., which are often misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal diseases, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Clinical data show that only less than 30% of ovarian cancer patients can receive early diagnosis.

Director Wang Huazhong of the Third Oncology Department of Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) reminds: If you have persistent abdominal distension, constipation, and loss of appetite in the recent period, and no gastrointestinal disease is found after examination by the gastroenterology department, you should go to the gynecology department as soon as possible.

Ovarian tumors compress the surrounding ligaments, and ascites can easily cause gastrointestinal symptoms. For clinical diagnosis of ovarian cancer, it is recommended to draw blood to check CA125, and to perform B-ultrasound, CT or MRI examinations and gynecological examinations for comprehensive judgment.

Which high-risk groups should be vigilant?

Currently, the cause of ovarian cancer is not fully understood. It can occur at any age, and the older you are, the higher the incidence rate . Its known high-risk factors include age, infertility, mental state, high-fat diet, ovulation-inducing drug treatment, and family history .

In recent years, the incidence of ovarian cancer has been on the rise due to the increase in the number of people marrying and having children late, the "DINK" white-collar workers, and those who consume high-estrogen diets.

In fact, every ovulation and repair process of women of childbearing age will cause damage to the ovarian epithelium. The complete pregnancy process can give the ovaries a temporary rest and reduce the risk of disease.

Irrational use of estrogen-containing drugs, supplements and beauty products will increase the estrogen level in the body and increase the risk of disease;

Urban women are under great work pressure and are irritable. Long-term mental stimulation can damage the immune surveillance system and also affect the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer.

How to effectively prevent and treat ovarian cancer? Director Wang Huazhong of the Third Department of Oncology at Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) gave the following suggestions:

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: good work and rest habits, healthy eating habits, maintain an optimistic and cheerful mood, relieve stress and negative emotions, and exercise appropriately to reduce the risk of disease.

2. Pay attention to physical examinations and medical treatment: Timely detection and diagnosis are the first step to "saving lives". Therefore, have regular physical examinations and seek medical treatment in time if you have symptoms. Don't be careless.

3. Standardized treatment: **Systematic and standardized treatment is the real guarantee to prolong the "lifeline". Under the guidance of oncologists, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and other treatment methods should be used reasonably.

4. Whole-course disease management : Reasonable and standardized whole-course disease management is also of utmost importance. Pay attention to the prevention and monitoring of ovarian cancer recurrence, regular follow-up, and regular review.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Jian Xiaolan, Department of Oncology, Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

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(Edited by ZS)