A family of personal history of Ovarian, Breast, or Colon Cancer can increase the risk substantially. Giving birth, breast feeding or taking oral contraceptives may decrease the risk. Other risk theories include high fat diets, the use of fertility drugs, and talc use in the genital area. The risk is significantly reduced if the ovaries have been removed, but Ovarian-like Cancer is still a possibility. Ovarian Cancer can be found in all age groups.
Fatigue is also a common symptom.
Other women have also reported abnormal vaginal bleeding, a lump in the abdomen, pelvis, or groin. In addition, there may also be unexplained weight loss or weight gain, changes in bowel patterns, pain or urgency in urination, back pain, painful intercourse, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, hormonal imbalance, and low grade fever. If you have several of the symptoms described and if they persist for 3-4 weeks, see your physician and take a copy of the OCAC pamphlet with you. Chances are the symptoms will be due to something else, but Ovarian Cancer is very difficult to diagnose, especially in its earliest, most curable stages. A surgical procedure and biopsy may be necessary to determine whether or not an ovarian mass is cancerous.