“Olaparib” is the new drug that is creating lot of hope among inherited Breast and Ovarian cancer patients. Drug succeeded in reducing the size of tumours in 40% of Breast cancer patients and also in 30% of ovarian cancer patients. Drug which is still in experimental stage is really a big hope for chronic patients. This research study is conducted by scientists at King’s college, London and is published in the magazine, Lancet. Mechanism of Olaparib: It will act by blocking poly ADP-ribose polymerase protein. “Olaparib” is an orally taken drug and reduced tumour growth in an experiment conducted on women with advanced breast cancer caused by a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. This gene is responsible for 5% of breast cancers and 10% of ovarian cancers. Important note: Olaparib does not help to cure cancer but only helps to prolong life by reducing tumour size. It is still in experimental stage but it is raising hope. … [Read more...]
Cancer Diet: low fat foods reduce ovarian cancer risk
Health foods like fruits and vegetables which are low in fat and high in fiber will help postmenopausal women in reducing ovarian cancer risk, according to Women’s Health Initiative dietary study. Women who reduced fat content in their diet have reduced ovarian cancer risk by 40%. This is a complete contrary finding to the WHEL trial (published in the Journal of American medical Association) which found no relation between no relation between diet and breast cancer. This randomized control study was done on 48,835 postmenopausal women over 8 years. The research study was published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute. Low-fat diet reduces ovarian cancer risk by decreasing estrogen production. Ovarian cancer statistics:Ovarian cancer is a rare one which affects 1 in 60 women but it is very difficult to diagnose in the early stage. It is a very serious disease which kills 55% of patients within 5 years. According to American Cancer Society estimates, 22,430 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007 of which 15,280 women will die of it. Ovarian cancer prevention: Currently, use of birth control pills is the only way to reduce ovarian cancer risk and removal of ovaries is the major treatment. Birth control pills will reduce cancer of ovaries by 60%. Pills and fiber diet combination will reduce ovarian cancer risk by more than 80%. Genetic mutation is another major ovarian cancer cause. If women can take these simple modifications in their diet, they can be free of this deadly disease. … [Read more...]
Ovarian Cancer: Causes and treatment
There are two ovaries present on either side of the uterus in a female. Functions of Ovaries: 1. Helping the ova to develop into maturity and releasing them at the time of ovulation. 2. Producing the female hormones viz; 1.estrogen and 2.progesterone. Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer: 1. Hereditary. In a family either mother or sister are having the history of ovarian cancer, the remaining female members may have the chances of getting this cancer is high. Hereditary risk is around 5%. But the troubles are more among the females who are less than 40 years age. Other factors: 1. Ovarian cysts: They do not produce cancer alone and many of them are harmless. But sometimes some other problems associated with them may produce cancer. This type of Cancer – risk is more as the age advances. 2. Oral contraceptive pills: They help in decreasing the risk of cancer occurring in the ovaries. 3.Chances of occurring cancer is less in women who are having children , compare to others who are without any issues. 4. Lactating mothers have less chances of getting this cancer compared to those who are not providing breast- feeding to their children. 5. Food habits: Women who are taking fresh vegetables and fruits 5 times daily are less prone to this cancer. Cereals and beans are more helpful in reducing the chances cancer occurring. 6. Tubectomy: Operation meant for permanent method of contraception, which reduces the risk of occurring cancer by 67%. Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer: 1. History of distention of abdomen and feeling of more gas production. 2. The feeling of flu fever. 3. Bleeding from the pelvic organs sometimes occur. 4. Hirsutism (more hair growth) occasionally occur. 5. Pain in the pelvic region and discomfort often present and loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation also are there. 6. More urination and decrease in body weight is also present. 7. Pain in females during intercourse is also present. Ovarian Cancer-Treatment: 1. If the patient is having some knowledge and understanding about this disease, she will consult the gynecologist in the stage, whenever she gets the doubt and management of the case is very easy in the early stage itself. 2. Regular check-ups by the gynecologist is more helpful to diagnose the disease at the beginning itself and the treatment is very easy. 3. If there is a history of breast and ovarian cancers in a family, and other females in the family need hysterectomy operation (for some other reasons), it is better to remove the two ovaries along with the uterus, as a preventive measure to avoid the occurrence of ovarian cancer in future. 4. Annual scanning and blood tests are more helpful to those who crossed the age of 40 years. … [Read more...]
