Among the many threats to women's health, ovarian cancer has become an "invisible killer" that cannot be ignored due to its high mortality rate and difficult early detection. According to statistics, although the incidence of ovarian cancer is second to cervical cancer and uterine body cancer, its high mortality rate ranks first in the list of gynecological tumors, posing a severe challenge to women's life safety that cannot be ignored.
A 35-year-old named Li Shasha (pseudonym) has always adhered to a healthy and orderly lifestyle, and insists on undergoing a comprehensive and meticulous physical examination every year to maintain her health. However, due to the ongoing impact of the new crown epidemic, Ms. Li Shasha (pseudonym) has disrupted her life rhythm and has not been able to undergo routine comprehensive medical check-ups as expected for two consecutive years. One night in December 2023, she suddenly felt severe pain in her lower abdomen and anus, and after careful examination, she was unfortunately diagnosed with epithelial malignant tumors in both ovaries, and has entered the advanced stage of ovarian cancer.
This sudden news made Li Shasha and her family difficult to accept, and what worried her even more was how to face the reality that she might lose her fertility as an unmarried and childless person. Fortunately, with the sincere cooperation of the top multidisciplinary team of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Li Shasha received the cutting-edge "egg retrieval + ovarian tissue cryopreservation" treatment plan, which preserved the precious light of fertility hope for her. This case not only allows us to see the progress of medical technology, but also once again rings the alarm bell for women to pay attention to ovarian health.
First and foremost: genetic and family background considerations
Heredity is an important factor in the development of ovarian cancer. Studies have found that about 5% of ovarian cancer patients have a family history of the disease, and the disease is autosomal dominant. This means that if you have a case of ovarian cancer in your family lineage, your personal risk of developing the disease may increase significantly, and you need to pay more attention and take precautions.
Preventive measures: For women with a family history of the disease, regular ovarian cancer screening, such as CA-125 blood test, transvaginal ultrasound, etc., is recommended for early detection of abnormalities. In addition, adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as balanced nutrition and moderate physical activity, can effectively reduce the risk of disease.
Factor 2: Endocrine factors
During a woman's ovulation cycle, the ovaries undergo a natural process of repair by epithelial cells, and if this process is frequently damaged and regenerated, it may hide factors that increase the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, women with early menarche and delayed menopausal age are more likely to be potential patients with ovarian cancer because they have experienced more ovulation cycles and more cycles of repair and damage to ovarian epithelial cells.
Precautions: While endocrine factors are partly determined by genes, women can reduce their risk by maintaining good lifestyle habits. For example, avoid long-term use of health supplements or cosmetics that contain hormones; Arrange work and life reasonably to avoid overwork; Maintain a regular sleep schedule and get enough sleep.
The third factor: external supplementation or excessive intake of hormones
In today's society, hormones are increasingly found in many foods and medicines. Long-term intake of large amounts of these exogenous hormones may interfere with the balance of hormones in a woman's body and increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Preventive measures: To reduce health risks, the intake of hormones-containing foods and drugs, such as phytoestrogens that may be present in certain farmed meat and soy products, should be minimized. When choosing food, try to choose natural and additive-free products; When taking medications, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions and avoid misuse of hormonal drugs.
Factor 4: Bad lifestyle habits
Poor lifestyle habits are an important cause of many diseases, including ovarian cancer. Staying up late for a long time, unreasonable diet (such as high-fat, high-sugar diet), lack of exercise, etc., will lead to a decline in physical fitness and increase the risk of disease.
Preventive measures: Developing healthy lifestyle habits is key to preventing ovarian cancer. Maintain a regular schedule and get enough sleep; Eat a balanced diet rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals; Moderate exercise, such as walking, jogging, yoga, etc., helps to strengthen physical fitness and immunity.
Factor 5: Environmental factors
Prolonged exposure to harmful factors such as radiation and asbestos may lead to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, certain chemicals such as pesticides and dyes may also pose potential hazards to ovarian health.
Precautionary measures: Try to avoid long-term exposure to hazardous substances in the working environment, and if it cannot be avoided, protective measures should be taken, such as wearing protective clothing, masks, etc. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the cleanliness and safety of the home environment, and minimize the exposure to daily necessities containing harmful chemicals to maintain health.
In addition to taking preventive measures against the above five risk factors, women should pay more attention to and have regular comprehensive physical check-ups and gynecological check-ups to ensure their health and worry-free. For women aged 30 years and above, it is highly recommended to have a detailed gynecological examination at least once a year, which aims to achieve early detection and early diagnosis of ovarian lesions, so as to grasp the best time for treatment. Young women who want to have children should be fully informed and weighed against the pros and cons of treatments that may affect their fertility, and fertility preservation options should be sought if necessary.
In addition, it is crucial to strengthen publicity and education on ovarian cancer prevention. By raising public awareness of ovarian cancer and awareness of prevention, it helps to promote early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. All sectors of society should work together to build a more convenient and efficient medical service system for women, and jointly defend the beautiful vision of women's health and happiness.
In conclusion, ovarian cancer is a serious threat to women's health, but by understanding its pathogenic factors and taking effective preventive measures, we can greatly reduce the risk of developing it. Let's start now, pay attention to ovarian health, and protect our own happy future.