MOUNT VERNON – Knox Community Hospital is celebrating Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by sharing insights into ways to identify the risk and symptoms of ovarian cancer and a few ways to reduce your risk factors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, treatment options are most effective when ovarian cancer is found sooner in the staging process. Knowing the risk without question is challenging, but there are some markers to offer some insight. Middle‐aged women with a family history of ovarian cancer, those formerly diagnosed with breast, uterine or colorectal cancer, those diagnosed with endometriosis, those with challenges getting pregnant or giving birth are at the highest risk for ovarian cancer.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include vaginal bleeding or discharge (especially those who have experienced menopause), back, abdominal, and pelvic area pain or pressure, bloating or feeling full quickly, and any changes in restroom habits. The CDC recommends people track symptoms for two weeks to assure that what they are experiencing is not related to another condition, and then contact their provider to learn more.
Reducing risk factors can begin by talking with a primary care provider or an OB/GYN about what options are best. The following options may lower the risk of ovarian cancer. Believe it or not, using birth control pills for five years or more, having a tubal ligation (tubes tied), both ovaries removed or a hysterectomy, giving birth and breastfeeding for a year or more are all ways that can lower the risk for ovarian cancer.
Those looking for a new OB/GYN can visit www.kch.org/obstetrics‐gynecology or call 740-326-3531 to schedule an appointment.
To learn more about ovarian cancer, visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/basic_info/index.htm.
