Gynecologist, Awobusuyi Reveals Why Every Woman After 40 Should Get Checked For Ovarian Cancer

A Gynecologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba; Dr Rachel Awobusuyi has explained why women after the age of 40 must take ovary test seriously.

The doctor notes that it is difficult to detect symptoms of ovarian cancer but he stresses the importance of being proactive about it, PUNCH reports.

”The ovary is a hidden part of the body. It is not like cervical that everybody can easily see. Because it is a hidden organ in the abdomen, by the time the issue comes up it is usually late.”

Dr Awobusuyi suggests that women should go for regular ovary test to know if their ovaries are working well.

“Women after the age of 40 should take ovary test seriously because they are more prone to have the disease. There are times the symptoms start with abdominal pain, and by that time it is usually late,” she notes, adding, “It could also be a predisposed disease in the sense that if there was a history of ovarian cancer in a certain family, women in that family should watch out for it.”

When to see a doctor

Since it is difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer at an early stage, most health authorities suggest that the best way to help reduce the chances of developing more advanced stages of the disease is by taking a positive, proactive approach to it.

According to Medicalnewstoday.com, to ensure the best outcome, people should talk to their family doctor or gynaecologist about any potential symptoms as soon as possible.

Ovarian cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages but later stages are associated with symptoms though they can be non-specific, such as loss of appetite and weight loss. Others include pain in the abdomen or pelvis, bloating, change in bowel habits, indigestion, nausea, abdominal fullness, fluid in the abdomen, lump in the abdomen, or cancer-related fatigue.

Also, when a woman does not respond to basic treatment, for example, back pain that does not go away with rest, or indigestion that does not improve with diet changes, there may be a need to get checked.

ALSO READ: Mum Discovered She Had Ovarian Cancer Via Facebook Post

Risk factors

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The risk factors that may make some people more likely to develop ovarian cancer than others include family history of breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer, having the BRCA1 and BRAC2 gene, having Lynch syndrome, never being pregnant, obesity, some fertility and hormone medications, endometriosis and aging.

Diagnosis

Experiencing some of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer does not mean that a person has the disease. Ovarian cancer cannot be self-diagnosed at home. Diagnosis requires a range of tests and usually the involvement of a specialist.