Introduction
Ovarian cancer is a major health issue that afflicts women. It involves development of cancerous growth on the ovary. Its symptoms include frequent urination, pain on the pelvic region, bloating, and eating difficulties (Freedman, 2009). These symptoms are similar to symptoms of other disease that make ovarian cancer difficult to diagnose using symptoms. Research reveals that a great percentage of ovarian cancers are epithelial because they emanate from the ovary’s surface (Freedman, 2009). Other research suggests that some cancers arise from the fallopian tube. Factors that predispose women to ovarian cancer include infertility, use of certain medication, hormone replacement therapy, use of oral contraceptives, and party.
Preventive services
Research has shown that women can reduce risk of developing ovarian cancer by breast-feeding, hysterectomy, bearing at least one child, and using oral contraceptives. Removal of ovaries is recommended for women who possess the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene (Freedman, 2009). However, further research is needed to determine why it is not effective for all cases of cancer. This method has certain health complications. Therefore, it is not appropriate for young women. Removal of ovaries necessitates long-term hormone replacement because women who undergo the procedure do not produce estrogen (Alberts and Hess, 2008). In addition, the procedure is associated with early menopause.
Oral contraceptives have been shown to reduce risk of developing ovarian cancer by approximately 50 percent in women who posse the BRCA1or BRCA2 gene (Alberts and Hess, 2008). Use of contraceptives is the recommended preventive measure for younger women because it does not have serious health complications. Screening is another effective preventive measure. It involves regular examination of high-risk people such as women who come from families with history of ovarian cancer (Alberts and Hess, 2008).
It is important because it helps to detect any incidence of cancer early enough in order to seek medical attention. Annual pelvic examination is recommended because ovarian cancer is not detected until it develops in the ovary (Alberts and Hess, 2008). Pregnancy and breast-feeding have been associated with reduced risk to ovarian cancer. This is because pregnancy reduces ovulation and low rate of ovulation reduces risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Age and genetics are two factors that affect decisions related to preventive measures (Alberts and Hess, 2008). Age is a determinant factor in choosing a preventive measure. For example, ovary removal is unsuitable for younger women because of its health complications. It is more recommended for older women. Young women are more likely to avoid ovary removal and opt for other options. For example, medical professionals recommended use of oral contraceptives as a preventive measure for young women. Contraceptives do not have serious health implications unlike ovary removal.
Genetics also affects the choice of preventive measures. For example, women with the BARC1 or BARC2 gene are advised to undergo oophorectomy. Research has revealed that women who have nay of these genes have 60% risk of developing ovarian cancer (Stack and Fishman, 2009). Due to the high risk, removal of ovaries is the recommended preventive measure. In addition, women with high genetic risk of contracting ovarian cancer are advised to use prophylaxis.
Drug treatment options
Drugs are used for ovarian treatment during chemotherapy. Chemotherapy reduces ovarian cancer by slowing growth of cancerous cells. This is the recommended treatment method after surgery has been done. Drugs used during chemotherapy are administered through the mouth, through injections, or administered through a tube into the body (Stack and Fishman, 2009). Sometimes, both IV and IP chemotherapy methods are combined to increase effectiveness of treatment. Examples of medications sued include Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Docetaxel, Paclitaxel, Oxaliplatin, Doxorubicin, and Topotecan (Stack and Fishman, 2009).
These drugs are usually used after surgery in order to killing remnant cancerous cells that were not eliminated by the surgery. Others include Cyclophosphamide and Gemcitbine. Use of drug treatment for ovarian cancer has several side effects. These include nausea and vomiting. Combination of IV and IP treatments has severe side effects on patients. Side effects include belly pain, kidney and liver complications, and neuropathy. Other side effects include hair loss, fatigue, and anemia, persistent pain on body organs and tissues, constipation, mouth and throat infections, infection, muscle problems, and skin irritation (Stack and Fishman, 2009).
Chemotherapy drugs cause skin itching, rashes, and peeling that increases skin’s sensitivity to sun. Long-term side effects of drug treatments include hearing loss, kidney complications, and liver complications (Stack and Fishman, 2009).
Conclusion
Ovarian cancer is one of the many types of cancer that afflict women. Symptoms include frequent urination, pain on the pelvic region, bloating, and eating difficulties. Factors that predispose women to ovarian cancer include genetic makeup and hormonal imbalances.
Risk factors include infertility, use of certain medication, hormone replacement therapy, use of oral contraceptives, and parity. Preventive measures include use of oral contraceptives, ovary removal, breastfeeding, and pregnancy. Women chose their preferred preventive measures based on factors such as age and genetics. Some measures such as ovary removal are not appropriate for young women because of severe side effects. The measure is appropriate for women with genetic mutations. Drug treatment is used for chemotherapy. However, it has short-term and long0term side effects. Drugs are chosen depending on severity of cancer.
References
Alberts, D., and Hess, L. (2008). Fundamentals of cancer prevention. New York: Springer.
Freedman, J. (2009). Ovarian cancer: current and emerging trends in detection and treatment. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group.
Stack, M., and Fishman, D. (2009). Ovarian Cancer. New York: Springer.