Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a health risk that is very personable to me. This form of cancer has been in my family for at least the last five generations. I chose to learn more about this form of cancer, what it is, my risk for this cancer and ways to possibly prevent it because of the fact I could possibly be next in line for this disease. Ovarian cancer is a disease caused by a group of cells along the ovarian lining, or in the ovaries themselves, that begin to grow uncontrollable and no longer die. These cells create tumors or masses. When these tumors become malignant (begin to spread) it is officially defined as cancer. Typically, ovarian cancer goes undetected until it has spread to the pelvic region or the abdomen. It is often extremely difficult to treat and most often it is fatal. I took the assessment located under the Life Resource Center on the E-campus at University of Phoenix to discover exactly where I stand as a risk factor to this horrible disease. I was not surprised, but definitely displeased when the results read “much above average” on the at risk scale. A risk factor is the state of which I am susceptible to getting the disease. Although it does state that just because I am at high risk for this disease, that does not by any means guarantee that I will get this form of cancer, instead it is saying that I have a high risk for getting this cancer so I should take precautionary steps to avoid ever being diagnosed with this horrible disease. A list of a few different options was given to possibly decrease the risk that I have of getting this form of cancer. It was stated that eating more vegetables would greatly lower my risk of many forms of cancer! As many as five but as little as three servings a day is what is recommended to any individual in order to lower the risk of cancer. This is worrisome to me because with a new baby in the house and getting very little sleep makes it very hard to ensure that I am reaching the daily recommended amount of
References: * Life Resource Center; University of Phoenix E-Campus website. * http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cancer/DS00293