Cancer: Ovarian Cervical Uterine

Ovarian Cancer Prevention

2007-02-06T02:59:00.002-08:00

Ovarian cancer risks can be reduced. It might be wise to look into some of the research to develop the strategy, which is right for you. Here are a few ideas and thoughts on some of the things you might wish to add to your lifestyle or subtract in order to reduce your risks of ovarian cancer.

One way to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer is the use of oral contraceptives or birth control pills. This has been found to reduce the risks of ovarian cancer by up to 50% by those women who use them for up to three or more years. For those women who have had genetic screening and have been found to have mutations of certain genes may also get significant benefit although more study will be needed to confirm this.

Tying of the fallopian tubes can also significantly reduce risks of ovarian cancer by two-thirds or 66%. It might be an option for you if you are sure you are done with having your last child. There is also many studies suggesting that hysterectomies decrease the risks of ovarian cancer. Of course such operations probably are not a good idea unless there is another good medical reason. It is recommended for those women who have already been thru menopause or near menopause that ovaries should be removed with a hysterectomy operation.

Those women who have more than one child and breast feed for more than one year seem to have also reduced their risks of ovarian cancer. Those women who have children after age thirty-five also appear to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Of course it is best to discuss these issues with your doctor, get screening and have a strategy on reducing your risks of ovarian cancer. Do your own research and think on this.

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Drinking Tea May Guard Against Ovarian Cancer

2007-02-06T02:59:00.001-08:00

Consuming two or more cups of tea a day over a period of time may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer dramatically, suggests a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. And each additional cup of tea per day appears to provide significantly more protection, investigators found.

Because tea is the second most-consumed beverage in the world, its potential health benefits could have important implications for human health and disease prevention, says the Tea Council of the USA.

"An abundance of research suggests that tea may play a role in the reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer," notes Joe Simrany, president of the trade organization. "These new findings suggest that drinking tea regularly may help to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as well. This is good news and points to yet another area where tea may have a positive effect on health."

46 Percent Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk

Researchers at Sweden's National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, examined the association between tea consumption and risk of ovarian cancer in 61,057 women 40 to 76 years of age who took part in the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort.

The participants completed a validated 67-item food frequency questionnaire at enrollment between 1987 and 1990, and were followed for cancer incidence through December 2004.

At baseline, 68 percent of the participants reported drinking tea -- primarily black tea -- at least once a month. During 15.1 years of follow-up, 301 women were diagnosed as having epithelial ovarian cancer. The researchers found tea consumption of two or more cups of tea per day had a significant inverse association with risk of ovarian cancer.

Specifically, women who drank two or more cups of tea per day experienced a 46 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer, compared with women who drank no tea. Each additional cup of tea was associated with an 18 percent decreased risk of ovarian cancer.

Additional Health Benefits

A multitude of research studies suggest that drinking tea may contribute to overall health. Potential benefits include the following:

- Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, and improved blood vessel function;

- Less risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and skin cancers;

- Decreased levels of oxidative DNA damage and increases in antioxidant levels in the bloodstream; and

- Oral health benefits -- researchers believe certain compounds in tea may inhibit bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque, and the fluoride content in tea supports healthy tooth enamel.

Nicole Weaver is a health journalist for Daily News Central, an online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable health information to consumers, healthcare providers and industry professionals.

Ovarian Cancer and Hysterectomies - Becoming Informed About Your Options

2007-02-06T02:58:00.004-08:00

A hysterectomy is not often a procedure that needs to be performed urgently, except in the case of cancer. Therefore, a woman considering the procedure should take time to investigate all her options, including other possible treatments. There are now new treatments for conditions that previously would have required a hysterectomy. Women advised to have a hysterectomy for a non-cancerous condition before being offered more conservative treatments may find it beneficial to seek a second opinion.

Deciding whether to have a hysterectomy can be a difficult and emotional process. By becoming informed about the procedure, women can confidently discuss available options, concerns and wishes with their doctor, and make a decision that is right for them.

If you, too, have been questioning the necessity of a surgery for fibroids, prolapse, incontinence or any "cele" repairs, you will be reassured to know you have every right in doing so. The decision to undergo surgery of any kind is often difficult, so it is often useful to explore other alternatives before moving forward. Women, especially around the time of menopause, are too often advised to have major gynecological surgery for minor conditions that can be significantly improved with natural alternatives

Every 10 minutes, 12 hysterectomies are performed in the United States. That is over 600,000 per year, of which only 10% are due to cancer. This surgery most often does not correct the diagnosed problem and instead results in new afflictions. And, argues Dr. Stanley West, author of The Hysterectomy Hoax, nine out of ten hysterectomies are unnecessary.

We need to ask “How have these surgeries impacted the quality of life for women?" Nowhere in the gynecological literature did the study address the number of women for whom sex had become painful or impossible. Nowhere were there studies to track the number of marriages that failed or were severely compromised as a result of these post-surgical complications or alcoholism or drug addiction resulting from debilitating chronic pain.

Women who have been hysterectomized experience a myriad of negative side effects, including chronic pain and fatigue, depression, and pain during sex. These are only a fraction of the long list of unwanted symptoms reported by women after surgery.

So, if you decide, or have already decided, that surgery is not an option, you are probably asking yourself, "Now what?" I have asked myself this same question. But, I will tell you, there is no quick fix. As women we must understand our bodies to care for them in a positive way.

The more I review this subject the stronger I feel about informing women before they make this important decision. Prevention is the key and hormone balance is the answer.

For the most part those who are encouraged to have their uterus’s removed are likely suffering from estrogen excess which is explained well by Dr. John Lee.

Balancing hormones involves working on a few fronts using simple strategies.

1. Evaluate your hormones using a saliva test – determine what is happening in your body – ask your self the question – are you estrogen dominant? Use a saliva test to find the answer.

2. Optimize your diet by lowering your insulin levels. Over 2/3 of North Americans are overweight. This extra weight increases insulin levels causing estrogen dominance to increase. EAT 40/30/30

3. If the saliva test shows the need, use a natural progesterone cream in the process of rebalancing your hormonal system

4. Exercise to reduce excess estrogen and to eliminate toxins

5. Drink more water

6. Supplement with wisdom using our hormone balancing program of fiber, indoles, efa, multi – fruit & veggi essence, calcium

This Article Is Copywright 2006 Jackie L. Harvey & Saliva Testing com

Jackie Harvey is a nutritional speaker who shares her interest and information on hormone health and hormone saliva testing throughout North America in her popular "Let's Talk About Hormones" seminar. Visit her website SalivaTesting.com for a schedule of events in your area and for more information about her Best Selling 1-hour DVD "Let's Talk About Hormones with Jackie Harvey". Click For More information on Women's Hormone Saliva Testing and Saliva Test Kits.

Causes and Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer

2007-02-06T02:58:00.003-08:00

Today doctors still do not know exactly what causes women to get ovarian cancer. However, research has helped to identify certain risk factors that can lead to ovarian cancer or make a person more susceptible to ovarian cancer. The risk factors will increase a persons chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Through research and statistics it has been determined that ovarian cancer is typically found in women over the age of sixty. This was in at least fifty percent of the reported cases of ovarian cancer. It is most common in post-menopausal women which is why it is still possible that is can develop in younger women as well.

In addition, research has shown that ovarian cancer is more likely to develop in Caucasian women rather than African American women. Women who have a prior history of breast cancer will also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer at some time in their life. Scientists believe this is because of the mutated BRCA gene.

Family history also plays a big role. Those who have a family history of colorectal, breast or ovarian cancer are at an increased risk of getting ovarian cancer sometime in their life. Once again scientists believe this is because of the inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Doctors have found that post menopausal women who use hormone replacement therapy have a higher risk of getting ovarian cancer. Those who have never had children or children after the age of thirty have an increased risk factor. Doctor believe this is because the number of menstrual cycles a woman has affects the chances of getting ovarian cancer.

Those who use fertility drugs will have a three times more likely chance of having ovarian cancer over those who don’t use fertility drugs. Those who use fertility drugs and don’t conceive will have an additional higher risk.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of ovariancancerdomain.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about ovarian cancer risks.

Early Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer

2007-02-06T02:58:00.001-08:00

Ovarian cancer is termed a silent disease because it typically isn’t found until it is in the advanced stages. In most of these cases by the time the cancer is detected it has already spread to other parts of the abdomen. However, there are some early warning signs that can help you to detect ovarian cancer before it is too late.

Doctor do not know what percentage of ovarian cancer cases have early warning signs. The majority of women who are diagnosed with the disease often experienced symptoms. However, since most women who were diagnosed were in the advanced stages it is impossible to determine how many of these had symptoms before the cancer started to spread.

Another fact is that many cases of ovarian cancer often take months to diagnose. Almost half of the ovarian cancer cases take more than three months and a handful take longer than a year to diagnose. Therefore, it is possible that a number of women have early warning signs.

The most common early symptom is abdominal swelling and bloating. Although this is often ignored as being just a little extra weight. However, not all women will have the same symptoms. Therefore, it is important to learn about all the possible warning signs so you can recognize them and get to the doctor before it is too late. Other early warning signs include: abdominal or pelvic pain, gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, vaginal bleeding or discharge, urinary problems, fatigue, fever, back pain and difficulty breathing.

While a majority of the time these signs will not be a result of ovarian cancer it is important to have them checked out. This way if you do have ovarian cancer you can catch it early and have a better chance of treating it.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of ovariancancerdomain.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about warning signs of ovarian cancer.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms: What You Need To Know

2007-02-06T02:57:00.000-08:00

By Maria Markella

The cervix is part of a woman's reproductive system. Doctors cannot explain why some women develop cervical cancer while others do not. What we do know is that there are risk factors which make some women more vulnerable, to develop cervical cancer, than others.

These risk factors increase the possibility of developing cervical cancer and they may act together to increase the risk even more.

HPV (Human Papilloma Viruses) is the most significant risk factor for cervical cancer. The HP Viruses affect the cervix directly and can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. In fact, most adults have been infected with HPVs at some time in their lives.

The HPV viruses can cause changes to our body cells which is why various problems including cervical cancer can occur.

I will be brief and present the most worth mentioning Cervical Cancer Symptoms. It is very importand to know that most of the cervical cancer symptoms may not cause any kind of pain.

So don't wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor or performing the regular tests (e.g. pap test)

Women with Cervical Cancer may notice some of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal Vagina Bleeding
-- Bleeding between regular menstrual periods
-- Bleeding after sexual contact.
-- Bleeding during menstrual periods that last longer
-- Bleeding after menopause
- Increased Vaginal discharge
- Pelvic Pain
- Pain During Sexual Intercourse

These symptoms may be caused by other health problems, not just cervical cancer. Only a doctor can tell for sure.

Women should pay a visit to their doctor as soon as they notice such symptoms. The doctor can and will diagnose and treat the symptom accordingly. Again, it's importand to perform regular tests and visit your doctor every now and then.

You can find more information about Cervical Cancer Symptoms in the National Cancer Institute Webpage. I also recommend that you have a look at the 350 drug-free Natural and Alternative Cancer Treatments That Work. This information could save your life. Prevention is your single most importand ally.

Compound in Abortion Pill May Prevent Breast and Ovarian Cancer

2007-02-06T02:52:00.000-08:00

By Ron Swerdfiger

The chemical compound in the “abortion pill” has been found to prevent the development of mammary tumors caused by the mutant gene responsible for the majority of breast and ovarian cancers, a group of scientists from UC Irvine reported.

The key compound, known as mifepristone, prevented breast tumors by inhibiting the production of progesterone. progesterone is a hormone involved in the female reproductive cycle which is found in the tissues of the breast. The discovery may open up more, and far more palatable options for women who have a genetic predisposition to developing breast and ovarian cancers. Currently, the typical prevention method relies on the surgical removal of breasts or ovaries for the majority of these women. The study is published in the December 1 issue of Science.

“We found that progesterone plays a role in the development of breast cancer by encouraging the proliferation of mammary cells that carry a breast cancer gene,” said Eva Lee, the study’s lead author and a professor of developmental and cell biology and biological chemistry at UCI. “Mifepristone can block that response. We’re excited about this discovery and hope it leads to new options for women with a high risk for developing breast cancer.”

In the study, Lee and her colleagues addressed how mifepristone affects the functionality of mutated genes called BRCA-1 genes. This group of mutated genes is widely studied by cancer researchers because a mutated version of this gene significantly contributes to the development of breast and ovarian cancers. By the age of 70, more than 50 percent of women with the mutated BRCA-1 gene develop these cancers.

The researchers studied mice that possessed the mutated BRCA-1 gene. Mice treated with mifepristone, an anti-progesterone compound, did not develop mammary tumors after 12 months. All of the untreated mice developed tumors by eight months of age.

Progesterone, secreted by the ovaries, is essential to the term of a pregnancy. Mifepristone, also called RU486, is designed to abort pregnancy in the first trimester by shutting down the secretion of progesterone and ending the viability of the fetus. In smaller doses, it is also an emergency contraceptive.

UCI researchers found that progesterone encourages the development of cancer when the mutated BRCA-1 is exists because it increases the rate of cell division. Mifepristone, they discovered, blocked a binding process that is necessary for progesterone to cause the cells to divide.

Previous studies have linked high levels of progesterone with an increased risk of breast cancer. This was proven to be especially true for menopausal women who received hormone-replacement therapy that included progesterone and estrogen to ease things like hot flashes and night sweats. The previous findings, combined with this new data, lead scientists to believe that anti-progesterone could provide women at risk with more prevention options in the future.

The research was conducted with the backing of the National Cancer Institute, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Department of Defense.

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