Ovarian cancer is often difficult to diagnose in the early stages since it mimics other conditions, including stress. In addition, women often deal with abdominal pain and may miss the symptoms. The diagnosis often is not discovered until cancer has advanced, making the diagnosis more frightening and the treatment more invasive.
What Can You Take?
Lowering the number of times you ovulate can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer. This means using oral contraceptives during the time of your life when you are not considering a pregnancy, even if you are not sexually active.
If you choose to have a child, breastfeeding can reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer. If you choose to never have a child, you may be elevating your risk of developing the disease.
What to Avoid
If you have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, there are decisions you can make early in your life that will lower your risk, such as using birth control pills to lower the number of times you ovulate over the course of your life. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce your risk. If you choose to have a baby, be sure to breastfeed.
As you age, avoid hormone replacement therapy and try to go through natural menopause. Natural menopause will be much easier to undergo if you can maintain a healthy weight before your hormone levels start to drop.
Get started on an exercise plan you enjoy and can sustain, as breaking into a good sweat every couple of days can lessen the severity and number of hot flashes. On a daily basis, practice safe sex and good hygiene after sex. You should know talcum powder greatly increases the risk of ovarian cancer.
Eat a Low-Fat Diet
The diet you consume can make it easier or harder for your body to overcome the damage done by toxin exposure. Focus on keeping your fat intake low, and be sure to protect your cells with colorful fruits and vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage can help your body to repair damaged cells and provide you with fiber to protect your gut.
Foods with a high level of selenium, such as tuna and shrimp, can also protect against cellular damage. If you prefer not to eat meat, pinto beans are an excellent substitute. Avoid fried, salty foods such as potato chips, and try to also keep your sugar intake low.
While omega-3 fatty acids are shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in labs, saturated fats can increase your risk of many cancers. If you notice changes in your health, such as a lot of bloating after meals or a feeling of fullness after just a few bites of food, it is a good idea to schedule a doctor’s exam.
Even after menopause is over, aging is one of the risk factors for developing ovarian cancer, so do not discount these symptoms. As with all cancers, early detection is key.
You might also like: 3 Natural Ways to Alleviate Menstrual Cramps
