PSYC 2070 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Ovarian Cancer, Kegel Exercise, Pelvic Floor
Document Summary
13,000 women/year in us; 4,400 deaths/year in us. We have been underestimating these numbers: higher for african american women by 74% Predisposition via human papillomavirus (hpv), chlamydia, smoking, immune system dysfunction. 75% drop in death rate since 1950s due to pap test during pelvic exam; looking for pre-cancerous cells. Treatment via hysterectomy- remove uterus + radiation/chemo treatment; perhaps other organs: uterine prolapse- sagging of the uterus into vagina. Weakening of ligaments connecting to pelvic floor muscles. Older women with one or more births; obesity; smoking. Treated surgically or via insertion of a ring; kegel exercises. Inner surface has cilla (hairs: beating motion that moves egg towards uterus, ampulia- typical site of fertilization. Repository of oocytes or eggs (250,000 per ovary) Ovulation happens in one ovary or the other. Typically release one oocytes per ovulation (period) Risk factors: old age, heredity, early onset of menstruation (menarche)(around age 10 or earlier), late menopause, no children, obesity, prolonged hormone replacement therapy.
