Steps to Take if You Think Talcum Powder Caused Your Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer may be survivable if it can be detected before the cancer has spread outside the ovaries. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 92%. However, only approximately 15% of all ovarian cancers are found at this early stage. Of course, obtaining prompt and consistent medical treatment is critical. Here are some steps that can be taken if you suspect you have ovarian cancer.
The main way to detect ovarian cancer at its earliest stages is by taking regular women’s health exams. Doctors are trained to feel the ovaries for size, shape, and consistency. However, even the most skilled examiner may have difficulty detecting ovarian cancer at its earliest stage. It is important to note that Pap smears are used to detect cervical cancer, not ovarian cancer. A Pap smear test may show, rarely, signs of ovarian cancer, but that is not its purpose.
Another way to detect ovarian cancer is by being vigilant to its symptoms. These symptoms may seem benign, but are key factors in getting diagnosed. These symptoms may include: abdominal swelling or bloating, pelvic pressure or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and/or urinary symptoms, such as having to go urgently or often. While these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, it is important to note these changes in your body. The key factor here is not necessarily the symptoms themselves, but that there is a consistent change from how a you usually feel.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are often ignored or overlooked, so by the time ovarian cancer is considered as a possibility, the cancer has usually spread beyond the ovaries. Also, some of the more malignant types of ovarian cancer can spread rapidly to other organs. Vigilance and prompt attention may improve the odds of early diagnosis and treatment. If you have these types of symptoms repeatedly, and they are not explained by less serious conditions, then you should see a doctor immediately.
Finally, research is being done to develop better screening tests to allow for the early detection of ovarian cancer. While there are no reliable tests, two of the ones that are currently used are the transvaginal ultrasound and the CA-125 blood test.
The transvaginal ultrasound is just like a normal ultrasound, and it can be used to detect an unusual mass, like a tumor, in the ovary. All the ultrasound will be able to do is to detect an abnormal mass and other testing can then be used to determine whether the mass is cancerous.
CA-125 is a protein found in the blood. Testing for that protein may be indicative of increased levels of CA-125. This can be used to screen for ovarian cancer, particularly because CA-125 is generally elevated in women who do have ovarian cancer. However, this is not a specific test. Elevated CA-125 can also be a result of pregnancy, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pancreatitis, normal menstrual cycle, pelvic inflammatory disease, or cirrhosis of the liver.
The final and most effective way to early detect ovarian cancer is to not expose yourself to environmental factors that can cause ovarian cancer, such as Talc or Talc-based products. These may include baby powder, adult body powder, facial powder, foot powder, and powder applied to the genital area. This is why the scientific literature has consistently said for over 20 years that one of the most effective ways to prevent ovarian cancer is to not expose yourself to talcum powder at all. Talc has been known to increase the risk of ovarian cancer within the medical community for a number of years. Litigation in this area has increased based on theories that the manufacturers of talcum powder knew of the risks, concealed it, and allowed their consumers to keep being exposed to talc.