Year: 2024 | Month: August | Volume: 14 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 477-484
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20240857
Awareness of Ovarian Cancer Amongst Post-Menopausal Women: An Observational Study
Dr. Anushka Pillai1, Manali Vyawahare2, Dr. Tushar Palekar3
1Assistant Professor, Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, 2Intern, Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, 3Principal, Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pimpri, Pune: 411018
Corresponding Author: Dr. Anushka Pillai
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the ovaries which are part of the female reproductive system. Ovarian cancer is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer" as, until it reaches an advanced stage, it may not exhibit any signs. Ovarian cancers remain amongst the top ten commonest causes of death due to gynaecological cancers.
Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the awareness of symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic tests, treatment options and areas of spread of ovarian cancer amongst post-menopausal women.
Materials and method: This is an observational study in which 203 postmenopausal women of nonmedical professions were included through purposive sampling. The sample size was calculated with the help of latest version of SPSS Software. Data was gathered with the help of a self-structured questionnaire with a particular focus on risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, diagnostic tests and areas of spread of ovarian cancer.
Result: Of 203 women, 31.03% reported awareness of various domains of the questionnaire about ovarian cancer, whereas there was a lack of awareness seen in 68.97% women.
Conclusion: We can conclude from this study that the general female community had very low awareness regarding the symptoms, risk factors, areas of spread, diagnostic tests and treatment options related to ovarian cancer.
Key words: Awareness, Ovary, Malignant, Inherited genetic mutation, Hereditary Ovarian Cancer Syndrome