Ovarian cancer is cancer that begins in the ovaries, affecting only women. It is the sixth common tumor among women. However, it is the second deadliest cancer, behind breast cancer, among women above age 40. Each year,there are 100,000 diagnosed cases. It has been scientifically known for 150 years. Ovary cancer comes in four stages with one being more lethal than the other.
Ovarian cancer affects the body by developing a tumor in one or both ovaries. This is referred to as Stage 1. Those tumor cells break off and spread to the pelvis and urinary system in Stage 2. In Stage 3, the cells spread to the abdomen. During the last stage, cancer cells spread into organs such as the intestines, liver, and stomach. A diagram of this process is shown on page 5. Symptoms usually do not appear until the cancer has spread to the pelvis and stomach. Sadly, many cases are detected when the cancer has already advanced in later stages. The most common symptoms are loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms include bloating, changes in bowel movements, indigestion in the gastrointestinal region. Because of the spread of tumor cells, women may feel pain and have fluid and lumps on the stomach.
Women are at high risk of getting ovarian cancer because of genetics, a family history of developing cancer, and increasing age. (OCRFA, 2016) …show more content…
Treatments for ovarian cancer are costly and can add a burden of stress to a patient. It is important to have health insurance because chemotherapy costs 10 – 50% of the original price. Without health insurance, it can be between $10,000 - $200,000. Each cycle of chemotherapy can add another $6,000 - $16,000. Hospitalization is at least $210,000 including hospital, pharmacy, and physician charges. (Meropol, 2007) Treatment can total up to nearly two thirds of a million
Ovarian cancer affects the body by developing a tumor in one or both ovaries. This is referred to as Stage 1. Those tumor cells break off and spread to the pelvis and urinary system in Stage 2. In Stage 3, the cells spread to the abdomen. During the last stage, cancer cells spread into organs such as the intestines, liver, and stomach. A diagram of this process is shown on page 5. Symptoms usually do not appear until the cancer has spread to the pelvis and stomach. Sadly, many cases are detected when the cancer has already advanced in later stages. The most common symptoms are loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms include bloating, changes in bowel movements, indigestion in the gastrointestinal region. Because of the spread of tumor cells, women may feel pain and have fluid and lumps on the stomach.
Women are at high risk of getting ovarian cancer because of genetics, a family history of developing cancer, and increasing age. (OCRFA, 2016) …show more content…
Treatments for ovarian cancer are costly and can add a burden of stress to a patient. It is important to have health insurance because chemotherapy costs 10 – 50% of the original price. Without health insurance, it can be between $10,000 - $200,000. Each cycle of chemotherapy can add another $6,000 - $16,000. Hospitalization is at least $210,000 including hospital, pharmacy, and physician charges. (Meropol, 2007) Treatment can total up to nearly two thirds of a million