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Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Ovarian cancer is a disease arising from the ovaries. The female reproductive organs responsible for releasing eggs (or ova) and producing estrogen and progesterone hormones. Ovarian cancer often begins as a malignant tumor in one or both ovaries and is more common in post-menopausal women and those with other increased risk factors. A pap test does not screen for ovarian cancer and those who have had their ovaries removed are still at risk. There are more than 30 types of ovarian cancer making it difficult to detect and challenging to treat.

FACT:

  • If ovarian cancer is detected in the early stages, there is an 85 to 90% chance for a cure.

  • 1 in 78 American women will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime

  • Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer deaths among women

  • Survey to date states an estimate of 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year

  • About 14,000 of the 22, 000 will die from this disease each year

  • Worldwide, more than 200,000 women are diagnosed and 140,000 women die each year

  • Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than all other gynecological cancers combined.

​Ovarian cancer is commonly referred to as a “silent killer”

The growth of ovarian cancer may not produce any noticeable symptoms. Since the ovaries are about the size of an almond and located deep within the pelvic area, they are difficult to feel. Symptoms often are not noticeable until the tumor has grown and spread beyond the ovaries.  

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Symptoms such as abdominal bloating/swelling, pain/pressure in the pelvic area and changes in appetite/bowel functions — mimic many less life-threatening gastrointestinal and gynecologic conditions. Most women were never taught the symptoms; they advance slowly, and tend to be ignored until they affect other organs.

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Key to Survival - Self Awareness

If detected early, there is an 85-90% chance for survival. With early treatment and service, the five-year survival rate is greater than 92%. However; once the disease has progressed beyond the ovaries, the survival rate beyond five years becomes less than 50%; and most women with ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

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There are over 30 types of ovarian cancer

About 85 to 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial in nature and 15-20% have a genetic mutation that plays a role in the development of this disease. With more than 30 types, ovarian cancer is actually many different diseases, each with their own biologic properties and patterns of behavior. The three major types are based on where the cancer originated:

  • Epithelial ovarian cancer originates in the layer of cells that cover the ovary and the entire abdominal cavity. This is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for roughly 90% of all cases.

    • Types of Cancers within this category are:​

      • ​Serous

      • Endometroid

      • Mucinous

      • Clear cell

  • Germ cell ovarian cancer begins in the egg-producing cells inside the ovaries. Teens and women in their 20s are more likely to have this type of ovarian cancer.

    • Types of Cancers within this category are:​

      • ​Embryonal carcinoma

      • Teratoma

      • Polyembryoma

      • Dysgerminoma

  • Sex cord-stromal ovarian cancer originates in the connective tissue of the ovaries, which also produces the female sex hormones.

    • Types of Cancers within this category are:​

      • ​Granulosa Cell

      • Sertoli

      • Lipid cell​​

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Other variations of ovarian cancer exhibit many of the same characteristics and are treated like ovarian cancer but originate outside the ovaries

  • Other Types are:

  • Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma

  • Fallopian Tube Cancer

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