All Age Groups Are at Risk For Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer in the United States as of now. It affects close in 1 in every 70 women in their lifetime and is a debilitating disease. All women after puberty are considered to be at risk for developing ovarian cancer; however some age groups are more prone to developing the disease. This is due to the importance of personal and family history while mapping out cancerous cells and many other factors. The occurrence of ovarian cancer is seen most frequently in the age groups of 40 and above. Women with ages lower than 40 are also at risk but it is a significantly lower one.

Women who have never been pregnant and are above the age of 30 also run a high risk. It is of three types and all three types' shows significant risk in the age group of 35 to 65 years. Below the age of 15 years, there is very little risk of developing ovarian cancer since the ovaries do not function fully till puberty. However, with females who have been identified as having the genes linked to breast cancer and have had a family history of ovarian cancer, the risk increases even for those under the age of 15.

All age groups that have used fertility drugs or hormone therapy to help with childbirth are at an increased risk for cancer. This risk increases to every 1 woman in 50 under these considerations. Those who have been tested positive for endometriosis also have an increased risk, especially women above the age of 55. The development of breast cancer before the age of 40 further increases chances of having ovarian cancer, bringing it to every 1 woman in 10. Family history of other abdominal cancer can also be a reason to have regular screenings for ovarian cancer.

Genetic counselling can easily determine the risk of cancer. Women who have crossed the age of 35 with instances of abnormal vaginal bleeding are at heavy risk for ovarian cancer and should consult a doctor immediately. Those who suffer from fatigue, sudden and persistent abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhoea should also get screening done immediately. Overall, the rates of survival start to decrease as the age of a woman increases and so do the chances of being affected by other gynecological problems. The peak of this occurs in the age group of 65-75 years of age.

The rate of death is marginal in the lower age groups, but with increasing age and use of fertility drugs, this increases in percentage. It also lowers the chances of successfully bring a pregnancy to term after having had ovarian cancer. Even though this form of cancer is difficult to screen in its earliest stages, continuous screening and awareness regarding its symptoms can help in curing it with surgery as early as possible. It is only when the cancer reaches stage IV of its progress, does it become very difficult to treat it and reduces life expectancy to no more that eight months to a year.