Ovarian cancer information
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer starts when abnormal cells in and around the ovary and fallopian tubes grow and divide in an uncontrolled way and form a cancerous tumour (malignant). The cancerous cells grow into surrounding tissues and can spread to other parts of the body.
There are several different types of ovarian cancer and type of cancer depends on the type of cell and tissue the cancer starts in.
Because the symptoms are common and misdiagnosed, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late. The earlier ovarian cancer can be diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.
Treatment of ovarian cancer will depend on the type, stage and grade of the cancer you’re diagnosed with, however the earlier the cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat.
What is cancer?
Our bodies are made up of billions of cells which are constantly replaced when they are old, damaged, or worn out.
To replace a cell, our bodies make a copy of a healthy cell by splitting in two and destroying the old or worn-out cell.
Cancer develops when this process of division happens in an uncontrolled and unusual way, resulting in the cell dividing and multiplying until it forms a lump called a tumour.
What are ovaries?
The ovaries are two small glands that form part of the female reproductive system, which is also made up of the vagina, cervix, uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes. Ovaries have two main functions:
- Produce, store, and release eggs for reproduction
- Produce the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
Who is most at risk of having ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is most common in women over 50, particularly those who have gone through menopause. However, it can also affect younger women.
Risk factors include having a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, certain genetic mutations, and never having been pregnant.
Women who have used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause may also have a higher risk.
Is ovarian cancer terminal?
Ovarian cancer can be serious, especially if it’s diagnosed at a late stage. However, it’s not always terminal.
When diagnosed at stage 1, 90% of women live beyond five years.
The outcome depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer when it’s found, the type of ovarian cancer, and how well it responds to treatment.
Understanding risk and being aware of the symptoms is key to early detection, which greatly improves the 5-year survival rates.
Diagnosing ovarian cancer
Diagnosing ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of physical exams, imaging tests like ultrasounds, and blood tests to look for cancer markers. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Testing for ovarian cancer
Understand the challenges in screening for ovarian cancer and learn about the various tests employed in the diagnostic process, including pelvic exams, ultrasounds, CT scans, X-rays, laparoscopy, laparotomy, blood tests, and biopsies.
Ovarian cancer symptoms
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are common among other, less serious, illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome. The main four symptoms to be aware of are bloating, stomach pain, difficulty eating and needing to wee more frequently.
Other symptoms such as back pain, changes in bowel habits, extreme tiredness or unexplained weight-loss may also be ovarian cancer symptoms.
Read about the symptoms of ovarian cancer in more detail.
More information on ovarian cancer
Take a look at ovarian cancer in more detail, including the stages and grades of ovarian cancer, types of ovarian cancer and how you could decrease the risk of ovarian cancer.
What are the key ovarian cancer statistics in the UK?
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7,495
new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed on average every year
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6th
most common cancer in women and the 2nd most common gynae cancer
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82%
of ovarian cancer cases are in women over 50 years old
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95%
chance of survival if a woman is diagnosed at stage one