Due to my medical history, I am interested in the prevention of diseases but particularly of ovarian cancer. Fitsugar has a quiz called "What You Need to Know About Ovarian Cancer" that tests your knowledge on a few interesting questions. Here are the questions and answers that are good to know!

Question 1

T/F: Taking birth control pills causes ovarian cancer.

False

Taking the pill doesn't cause ovarian cancer, but rather a new study shows that women who take the pill can avoid developing it, and that the effects can last up to 30 years or longer. Plus the longer you're on it, the better. That's great news for women who've been on the pill for while.

Question 2

T/F: Getting enough fiber can reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

True

Yes, getting at least 30g of fiber a day has been shown to reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer by 40 percent. That's a great reason to eat more fruit, veggies, and whole grains.

Question 3

T/F: Early warning signs of ovarian cancer can mimic other common diseases.

True

Early warning signs of ovarian cancer include bloating, urgency to urinate, pelvic or abdominal pain, loss of appetite, pain during intercourse, and lower back pain, so women are often diagnosed with another condition before ovarian cancer. Since early symptoms often go undetected, only 20 percent of ovarian cancers are found before tumor growth spreads to surrounding tissues and organs. If you have any of these signs, I'd definitely see a doctor.

Question 4

T/F: An ultrasound of your ovaries can determine whether a mass on them is cancerous.

False

While an ultrasound can help doctors see masses or tumors on ovaries, it can't reliably determine whether it's cancerous or not. Further testing needs to be done to figure out if cancer is present.

Question 5

T/F: Having a baby reduces your risk of ovarian cancer.

True

Yes, having at least one baby can reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding for a year or longer may also help.

posted by che @ 12:59 PM