Despite mainly affecting women over the age of 50, all women who have ovaries are at risk of developing ovarian cancer, but some factors can increase this risk. This cancer develops as a growth of cells that form in the ovaries, sometimes even involving the fallopian tubes or the lining of the abdomen. These cells can multiply quickly, invading and destroying the body’s healthy tissue. 

Ovarian cancer can be tricky, especially as there are no symptoms in the earliest stage. This is why it is vital to be in the know about this type of cancer, particularly if you are at a higher risk. In this post, you will learn three of the best ways to protect yourself from developing ovarian cancer, but it is essential first to understand why awareness is increased in September.

Doctor sitting at a table talking with a patient.

Why September is an Important Month for Ovarian Cancer Awareness?

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which means it is the perfect time to talk about this disease, raise awareness, and help women learn how to catch it as early as they can. Spreading the word can save lives, particularly as very few women actually know the risks or signs of ovarian cancer.

There is a special day specifically dedicated to raising awareness for Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC), which is a rare and usually slow-growing form of ovarian cancer. LGSOC Day is September 9th, and this day should be celebrated to guarantee that women with all forms of ovarian cancer receive the attention and support that they require.

Ovarian cancer is harder to treat because it is often found late. However, if it is found early enough, there is a much better chance of beating it. This is why awareness is crucial; the more that you know, the better you protect yourself from it. 

Three Ways to Protect Yourself from Cancer

Knowing the signs of cancer is vital knowledge, but this will not help you prevent the disease. Instead, you must focus on ways to protect yourself. With this in mind, this post has outlined three simple ways to prioritize your health and reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Be Body Aware

Understanding your body is critical. Your body will usually give you clues when something isn’t quite right. The key to this is to pay attention to your body and not ignore any changes when they occur. Signs of ovarian cancer include:

  • Constant bloating
  • Feeling fatigued 
  • Feeling full quickly during meals
  • Needing to pee more often
  • Pain during sex
  • Pain in your belly or lower back
  • Irregular menstruation

Visiting your doctor or a specialist is a must if you have any of these symptoms for two weeks or more. This is another step of being body aware. You need to act on any changes that you notice, and you can keep track of them by keeping a journal of symptoms that you might experience. Having symptoms noted down can help you spot problems early.

You should also be aware of your medical history, including that of your family. If your mother, sister, or other close family members have had ovarian cancer, then you might be at a higher risk. Genetic testing might be helpful in this case, so you should speak to your doctor about your family’s medical history.

Participate in Screening Programs

Although there isn’t a screening test for ovarian cancer for more women, like there is for cervical cancer, there are some tests that might be advised. This is more likely to happen if you are at higher risk, which your family history will highlight. These tests might be a CA-125 blood test or a transvaginal ultrasound, but not all healthcare providers agree on these methods. 

Unfortunately, these tests may not be effective for everyone, but they can be beneficial for women at high risk. Either way, you must ensure that you attend your annual checkups and speak openly with your doctors about any changes or concerns you may have. You can ask your doctor about what screening or testing is right for you if you are at risk.

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle

While no lifestyle changes can prevent cancer entirely, you can lower your risk and help yourself feel better overall by making healthier choices. This can include adjusting your habits, especially if you smoke or drink alcohol. Smoking could increase your risk of certain cancers, and alcohol consumption can do the same. 

But more minor changes can help, too. Choosing fruits, lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains over processed and sugary foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active should all be aspects that you focus on. There have even been studies that show that taking birth control pills can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, so this should also be a consideration.

Healthy habits will do more than protect you from cancer; these changes could help you feel better and live a longer life.

To conclude, there might not be much that you can do to prevent ovarian cancer completely, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. This post has explained three of the best and simplest ways to protect yourself as much as you can.