Ovarian Cancer is a type of cancer that mainly spreads in ovaries located in the female reproductive system. When abnormal cells in the ovary multiply out of control, they form a tumor or cysts. Ovarian Cancer usually occurs in Women of all ages. It is one of the rarest cancers to be found, but lethal in nature once progressed.
Types of Ovarian Cancer
There are three types of Ovarian Cancer that are prevalent among women, they are grouped by the type of origin cell, Epithelial, Stromal, and Germ cell.
Epithelial Tumour: It is the most common type of ovarian cancer. It is formed on a layer of tissues on the outside of the ovaries. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets within or on the surface of an ovary. Many women have ovarian cysts at some time during their lives. Most ovarian cysts present no discomfort and are harmless. The majority of ovarian cysts disappear without treatment within a couple of months.
However, ovarian cysts — especially those that have ruptured — sometimes produce serious symptoms. The best ways to protect your health are to know the symptoms that may signal a problem and to schedule a pelvic examination.
Epithelial ovarian cancer can occur in females as young as 15, however, the mean presentation age is 56 years.
Stromal Cancer: This cancer grows in the hormone-producing cells of the ovaries. It is a rare tumor that develops from tissue cells that connect the ovary to the hormone-producing glands. The most common types are Granulosa-theca tumors and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors.
Germ Cell Cancer: Also called Dysgerminoma, Germ cell tumors develop in the egg-producing cells. This tumor is very rare. It mostly affects young women.
Stages of Ovarian Cancer
There are four main stages classified by the growth of cancer. The prognosis or diagnosis depends on when the cancer is caught. Earlier the cancer is caught, it is better for the patient.
Stage 1: This is the least advanced age of cancer. The cancer is still in the ovaries at this point, it usually develops in one and spreads to the other ovary.
Stage 2: At this stage, cancer has spread to the organs closer to the ovaries, like Pelvis, colon, or rectum.
Stage 3:This is a crucial stage in cancer as at this point the cancer is in your stomach linings, lymph nodes, behind the belly or both.
Stage 4: In this stage of cancer spreads to more distant organs like skin, lungs, and brain.
Causes
Ovarian Cancer can occur in females from ages 15-70. It has no set criteria of occurrence, it can occur for various reasons-
Family History: If a close relative has a history of Breast cancer or Ovarian cancer, chances of getting Ovarian cancer increases.
Reproductive History: Having had one or more full-term pregnancies is associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer. The more pregnancies a woman has, the lower the risk.
However, having children later in life (after age 35) or never having children pose a higher risk.
Age: Around 50% of Ovarian cancer cases occur after the age of 63.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer may include:
Abdominal bloating or swelling.
Quickly feeling full when eating.
Weight loss.
Discomfort in the pelvis area.
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation.
A frequent need to urinate.
How to cure Ovarian Cancer with Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, a cyst is correlated as Gradnhi which is mainly due to the vitiated Kapha dosha. In the Samprati (pathogenesis) of Granthi, it is mentioned that Mamsa (muscle fibers), Rakta, and Medo Dhatu are vitiated. When levels of impurities and toxins increase in rasa and rakta dhatus, the body stores them in the form of cysts around ovaries. So the presence of multiple cysts indicate high levels of impurities and toxins in these dhatus. Sign and symptoms in PCOD patients suggest an imbalance of all three doshas.
The Ayurvedic treatment of ovarian cancer is basically intended to treat cancer, slowing its spread and survival. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Suvarna-Sutshekhar-Ras, Suvarna-Parpati, Suvarna-Raj-Vangeshwar-Ras, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Trivanga-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma and Heerak-Bhasma are used to enhance the immune status of the body. In order to prevent the body from side effects medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Ashwagandha, Shankh-Vati, and Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras are used.
Ayurvedic Herbs That Help Reduce Risks of Ovarian Cancer
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal plant and a very important ingredient in Ayurveda science. It is also called Indian Ginseng and Winter Cherry. An Ashwagandha plant is ideally a small shrub with yellow flowers native to India and North Africa. Ashwagandha has anti-cancer properties that help slow the growth of cancer, it also helps regulate stress that comes with various therapies and treatments that a Cancer patient has to go through.
Reduces Blood sugar levels
Anti-cancer properties
Reduces Cortisol Levels
Reduces stress and anxiety
Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus)
Shatavari is an important component of Ayurveda, it is used in many Ayurvedic Medicines to boost immunity. This is a species of Asparagus plant, it has been used for many centuries in Indian Ayurvedic Medicine. It can be taken as a tablet, powder, or liquid essence.
Improving female reproductive health
Reducing symptoms of menopause
Antioxidant effects
Suvarna-Sutshekhar-Ras
Cancer Treatment is an intensively researched topic in the field of Ayurvedic Medicine. It is said to have anti-cancer properties that help in the Rejuvenation and Revitalization of our bodies. It is an Ayurvedic Formulation prepared from the mixture of herbs and minerals like-
1. Juice extract of Bhringaraja – Eclipta alba (in sufficient quantity)
2. Shuddha Parada purified Mercury
3. Suddha gandhaka – purified sulphur
4. Swarna Bhasma – Gold calx
.5. Roupya Bhasma – silver calx
6. Suddha suhaga – purified borax
7. Saunth – Zingiber officinale nigrum
8. Maricha – Piper
9. Pippali – Piper longum herb seeds
10. Datura – Datura
11. Tamra Bhasma – Copper calx
12. Elaichi – Elettaria cardamomum
13. Dalchini – Cinnamomum zeylanicum
14. Tejpatta – Cinnamomum tamala
15. Nagakesara – Mesua ferrea
16. Shankha Bhasma – Conch Shell calx
Suvarna-Parpati: It is an Ayurvedic mixture made by
Shuddha Parad: Purified Mercury
Shudh Gandhaka: Purified Sulphur
Swarna Bhasma- Gold Calx
Ayurveda is an ancient science which focuses on Prevention as its vital aspect. Ayurvedic Treatment for Ovarian Cancer involves having a diet monitored by Ayurvedic doctors, with special care to the environment around the patients. It is focused on the holistic development of an individual rather than only Ovarian cancer. Ayurveda poses no harm to existing healthy cells in a person’s body while the treatment is ongoing, while they get damaged if a person takes Chemotherapy.