Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the ovary, mostly in women over 50 years old. According to data released by the National Cancer Center of China in 2015, 34 out of 100,000 people in Chinese cities were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, while 25 out of 100,000 people died of ovarian cancer, with the fatality rate ranking first among gynecological tumors.

1. High-risk factors for ovarian cancer. 

(High-risk factors are not necessarily the only condition for developing ovarian cancer.)

(1). Genetic factors: family history of ovarian cancer, personal history of breast cancer, BRCA1 (gene mutation) or BRCA2 (gene mutation), Lynch syndrome.

(2). Reproductive system: elderly, no history of fertility, infertility.

(3). Hormones: early menarche age, late natural menopause, hormone replacement therapy, estrogen, androgen.

(4). Inflammation: perineal talc exposure, endometriosis, pelvic inflammation.

(5). Life: obese, living at very high latitudes.

2. Risk signals for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer patients in the early stage often have no obvious symptoms. About 75 percent of patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the late stage, because the ovary is deep in the pelvis, the hidden location is very deep.

Therefore, the following signals need to be alerted:

Precocious symptoms;

Menstrual disorders;

Abdominal fullness;

Lower abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain;

Compression symptoms, frequency of urination;

Anal drops, poor stools;

Sudden darkening of breast color;

Increased facial pigmentation, acne.

3. Are there any preventive measures against ovarian cancer?

Currently, there are no clear means to prevent ovarian cancer, but the following measures can be taken to reduce the risk of disease.

(1). Reasonable diet: try to eat less high fat, high cholesterol things, eat more fresh vegetables and fruit and so on.

(2). Good living environment: try not to be in contact with asbestos and talc particles.

(3). Healthy lifestyle: no smoking, exercise properly, exercise can not only improve physical resistance, but also alleviate a bad mood.

(4). Preventive ovarian salpingectomy: for carriers of germline mutations in the BRCA gene without fertility needs, after consulting a gynecological oncologist, premenopausal women who have no fertility requirements can undergo preventive salpingectomy.

(5). Prophylactic drugs: there are many drugs that are considered to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, including vitamin D, etc.

(6). Regular physical examinations, such as tumor markers, transvaginal ultrasound, etc.