Ovarian cancer is a cancer that forms in an ovary.[1] It results in abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.[2] When this process begins, there may be no or only vague symptoms. Symptoms become more noticeable as the cancer progresses.[3][4] These symptoms may include bloating, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, and loss of appetite, among others.[3] Common areas to which the cancer may spread include the lining of the abdomen, lining of the bowel and bladder, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.[5][6]
The risk of ovarian cancer increases in women who have ovulated more over their lifetime. This includes those who have never had children, those who begin ovulation at a younger age or reach menopause at an older age.[7] Other risk factors include hormone therapy after menopause, fertility medication, and obesity.[1][8] Factors that decrease risk include hormonal birth control, tubal ligation, and breast feeding.[8] About 10% of cases are related to inherited genetic risk; women with mutations in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 have about a 50% chance of developing the disease. The most common type of ovarian cancer, comprising more than 95% of cases, is ovarian carcinoma. There are five main subtypes of ovarian carcinoma, of which high-grade serous is most common. These tumors are believed to start in the cells covering the ovaries,[7] though some may form at the Fallopian tubes.[9] Less common types of ovarian cancer include germ cell tumors and sex cord stromal tumors.[7] A diagnosis of ovarian cancer is confirmed through a biopsy of tissue, usually removed during surgery.[3]
Deaths from ovarian cancer fell worldwide for over a decade and are predicted to continue to decline though to a smaller degree, by 2020, according to new research published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology. Statistics show that ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, with a high death rate. Over 140,000 women die from ovarian cancer each year.
Researchers say the main reason is the use of oral contraceptives and the long-term protection against ovarian cancer that they provide. Professor Carlo La Vecchia from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy. They say the decline in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage menopausal symptoms and better diagnosis and treatment may also play a role. Using data on deaths from ovarian cancer from 1970 to the most recent available year from the World Health Organization, the researchers found that in 28 countries of the EU death rates decreased by 10 per cent between 2002 and 2012, from an age standardized death rate per 100,000 women of 5.76 to 5.19. Although there were no available data on Nigeria, findings show that use of contraceptives is on the rise among women of reproductive age. In the USA the decline was significant with a 16 per cent drop in death rates from 5.76 per 100,000 in 2002 to 4.85 in 2012. In Canada ovarian cancer death rates decreased over the same period by nearly 8 per cent from 5.42 to 4.95. In Japan, which has had a lower rate of ovarian cancer deaths than many other countries, the death rate fell by 2 per cent from 3.3 to 3.28 per 100,000. Large decreases occurred in Australian and New Zealand between 2002 and 2011. In Australia the death rate declined by nearly 12 per cent from 4.84 to 4.27, and in New Zealand they dropped by 12 per cent from 5.61 to 4.93 per 100,000 women. However, the pattern of decreases was inconsistent in some areas of the world. The findings of Professor La Vecchia and his colleagues are important as they show how past use of hormone treatments has an impact on the mortality from ovarian cancer at the population level.
The risk of ovarian cancer increases in women who have ovulated more over their lifetime. This includes those who have never had children, those who begin ovulation at a younger age or reach menopause at an older age.[7] Other risk factors include hormone therapy after menopause, fertility medication, and obesity.[1][8] Factors that decrease risk include hormonal birth control, tubal ligation, and breast feeding.[8] About 10% of cases are related to inherited genetic risk; women with mutations in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 have about a 50% chance of developing the disease. The most common type of ovarian cancer, comprising more than 95% of cases, is ovarian carcinoma. There are five main subtypes of ovarian carcinoma, of which high-grade serous is most common. These tumors are believed to start in the cells covering the ovaries,[7] though some may form at the Fallopian tubes.[9] Less common types of ovarian cancer include germ cell tumors and sex cord stromal tumors.[7] A diagnosis of ovarian cancer is confirmed through a biopsy of tissue, usually removed during surgery.[3]
Deaths from ovarian cancer fell worldwide for over a decade and are predicted to continue to decline though to a smaller degree, by 2020, according to new research published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology. Statistics show that ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, with a high death rate. Over 140,000 women die from ovarian cancer each year.
Researchers say the main reason is the use of oral contraceptives and the long-term protection against ovarian cancer that they provide. Professor Carlo La Vecchia from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy. They say the decline in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage menopausal symptoms and better diagnosis and treatment may also play a role. Using data on deaths from ovarian cancer from 1970 to the most recent available year from the World Health Organization, the researchers found that in 28 countries of the EU death rates decreased by 10 per cent between 2002 and 2012, from an age standardized death rate per 100,000 women of 5.76 to 5.19. Although there were no available data on Nigeria, findings show that use of contraceptives is on the rise among women of reproductive age. In the USA the decline was significant with a 16 per cent drop in death rates from 5.76 per 100,000 in 2002 to 4.85 in 2012. In Canada ovarian cancer death rates decreased over the same period by nearly 8 per cent from 5.42 to 4.95. In Japan, which has had a lower rate of ovarian cancer deaths than many other countries, the death rate fell by 2 per cent from 3.3 to 3.28 per 100,000. Large decreases occurred in Australian and New Zealand between 2002 and 2011. In Australia the death rate declined by nearly 12 per cent from 4.84 to 4.27, and in New Zealand they dropped by 12 per cent from 5.61 to 4.93 per 100,000 women. However, the pattern of decreases was inconsistent in some areas of the world. The findings of Professor La Vecchia and his colleagues are important as they show how past use of hormone treatments has an impact on the mortality from ovarian cancer at the population level.
No comments:
Post a Comment