What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian Cancer 
Ovarian cancer is often "silent," showing no obvious signs or symptoms until late in its development. The most common sign is enlargement of the abdomen, which is caused by the accumulation of fluid. Rarely is there abnormal vaginal bleeding. In women over 40, vague digestive disturbances (stomach discomfort, gas, distention) that persist and cannot be explained by any other cause may indicate the need for a thorough evaluation for ovarian cancer.
Risk for ovarian cancer increases with age. The highest rates are for women over age 60. Women who have never had children are twice as likely to develop ovarian cancer as those who have. Early age at first pregnancy, early menopause, and the use of oral contraceptives, which reduces ovulation fre­quency, appear to be protective against ovarian cancer. If a woman has had breast cancer, her chances of developing ovar­ian cancer double. Certain rare genetic disorders are associated with increased risk. With the exception of Japan, the highest in­cidence rates are reported in the more industrialized countries.
Early detection requires periodic, thorough pelvic exami­nations. The Pap smear, useful in detecting cervical cancer, does not reveal ovarian cancer. Women over age 40 should have a cancer-related checkup every year. Testing for the level of tumor marker CA-125, a protein antigen, is helpful.
Surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapy are treatment options. Surgery usually includes the removal of one or both ovaries (oophorectomy) (o-ah-fah-rek'tah-me), the uterus (hysterectomy) (his"ter-ek'to-me), and the uterine tubes (sal­pingectomy) (sal-pin-jek'to-me). In some very early tumors, only the involved ovary is removed, especially in young woman. In advanced disease, an attempt is made to remove all intra-abdominal disease to enhance the effect of chemotherapy.

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Posted in Diseases , Women Health

Affect of smoking on Heart and Pregnant Women

Does Cigarette Smoking Affect the Heart? 
Yes. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of heart disease, which is America's number one killer. About 150,000 Ameri­cans die each year from heart attacks and other forms of heart disease caused by smoking. Smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and lack of exercise are all risk factors for heart disease. Smoking alone doubles the risk of heart dis­ease. When a person smokes and has other risk factors, his or her chance of getting heart disease increases dramatically. For example, if smoking is combined with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, then the risk goes up four times. Put all three together-smoking, high blood pressure, and high choles­terol-and the risk goes up eight times. Smokers who have al­ready had one heart attack are also more likely than nonsmokers to have another attack.
Is There Any Risk for Pregnant Women and Their Babies? 
Pregnant women who smoke endanger the health and lives of their unborn babies. When a pregnant woman smokes, she re­ally is smoking for two because the nicotine, carbon monox­ide, and other dangerous chemicals in smoke enter the mother's bloodstream and then pass into the baby's body. Women who smoke during pregnancy risk having a miscar­riage, or a premature or stillborn baby. Their babies are also more likely to be underweight, by an average of 1/2 pound
Does Smoking Cause Any Special Health Problems for Women?
Yes. Nonsmoking women who use oral contraceptives ("the Pill") double their chances of having a heart attack. However, when women use the Pill and smoke, they are 10 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmoking women who don't take the Pill. Women who smoke and use the Pill have an increased risk of stroke and blood clots in the legs as well. Women who smoke also run the risk of having trouble getting pregnant; the more they smoke, the more likely it is that they will have difficulty. Some studies show that female smokers, espe­cially the elderly, are at a higher risk for osteoporosis (a disease that weakens the bones and makes them more likely to break) than nonsmoking women. In addition, women who smoke in­crease their chances of getting cancer of the uterine cervix.

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Posted in Diseases , Smoking , Women Health