Prevention of ovarian cancer
Presently, there are no specific ways to prevent ovarian cancer, but there are many ways a woman may reduce a risk for development of the disease. In general, the risk for ovarian cancer can be reduced by factors that suppress ovulation. Some of these include increased parity and use of oral contraceptives. Also Lactation and pregnancy provide some protection against ovarian cancer because both suppress ovulation.
Contraceptives; The risk for ovarian cancer is reduced in women who take oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for at least five years. Probably this is because, the birth control pills work by suppressing the secretion of certain hormones connected with the onset of ovulation and menstruation. The pills contain synthetic (or artificial) forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and interplay of these hormones is crucial in deciding the pregnancy status of the body and prevents the release of the eggs.
In any case, oral contraceptives in general, regardless of the constituents, have been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk. And the risk-reduction effect apparently continues for years after the woman stops using them. However, some studies have indicated that, oral contraceptives may increase the risk for breast cancer in women who have a strong family history of breast cancer
Pregnancy and Lactation; The risk for the ovarian cancer is significantly reduced by pregnancy and prolonged breast feeding. However, the protective effects of the pregnancy may be related to hormonal factors or to the suppression of the ovulation. Studies show that, there is about 40 % risk reduction of ovarian cancer for women who bear at least a child, and in each subsequent pregnancy, there is an additional 10 – 15 % risk reduction of the disease, and this does not tends to extend beyond fourth pregnancy
Tubal ligation/Hysterectomy; Tubal ligation (“tying” of fallopian tube for contraceptive purposes) or a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) has also shown to have a small reduction in risk of ovarian cancer, although the mechanism is unclear. Studies have shown that, tubal ligation moderately disrupt blood flow to the ovary, in turn diminishing the number of menstrual cycles. Also other studies indicated that, both operations blocked the entrance of cancer causing substance from the vagina to the ovary, thus protecting the ovary from any potential cancer–causing agents. Similarly, removal of the uterus does not eliminate the risk for the ovarian cancer, because ovaries and fallopian tube are still intact and so the woman can develop ovarian cancer in the presence of other factors.
Contraceptives; The risk for ovarian cancer is reduced in women who take oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for at least five years. Probably this is because, the birth control pills work by suppressing the secretion of certain hormones connected with the onset of ovulation and menstruation. The pills contain synthetic (or artificial) forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and interplay of these hormones is crucial in deciding the pregnancy status of the body and prevents the release of the eggs.
In any case, oral contraceptives in general, regardless of the constituents, have been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk. And the risk-reduction effect apparently continues for years after the woman stops using them. However, some studies have indicated that, oral contraceptives may increase the risk for breast cancer in women who have a strong family history of breast cancer
Pregnancy and Lactation; The risk for the ovarian cancer is significantly reduced by pregnancy and prolonged breast feeding. However, the protective effects of the pregnancy may be related to hormonal factors or to the suppression of the ovulation. Studies show that, there is about 40 % risk reduction of ovarian cancer for women who bear at least a child, and in each subsequent pregnancy, there is an additional 10 – 15 % risk reduction of the disease, and this does not tends to extend beyond fourth pregnancy
Tubal ligation/Hysterectomy; Tubal ligation (“tying” of fallopian tube for contraceptive purposes) or a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) has also shown to have a small reduction in risk of ovarian cancer, although the mechanism is unclear. Studies have shown that, tubal ligation moderately disrupt blood flow to the ovary, in turn diminishing the number of menstrual cycles. Also other studies indicated that, both operations blocked the entrance of cancer causing substance from the vagina to the ovary, thus protecting the ovary from any potential cancer–causing agents. Similarly, removal of the uterus does not eliminate the risk for the ovarian cancer, because ovaries and fallopian tube are still intact and so the woman can develop ovarian cancer in the presence of other factors.
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(Copyright © 2011 by U. Bala)
(Copyright © 2011 by U. Bala)