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Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, recognized annually in September, is a time to raise awareness about the risk factors, symptoms, and prevalence of ovarian cancer.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the ovary and can spread throughout the body. There are different types of ovarian cancer. The most common type of ovarian cancer is on the surface of the ovary, called epithelial ovarian cancer.

How common is ovarian cancer?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, “In 2020, the latest year for which incidence data are available, in the United States, 18,518 new cases of ovarian cancer were reported among women, and 13,438 women died of this cancer. For every 100,000 women, 9 new ovarian cancer cases were reported and 6 women died of this cancer”¹.

What are symptoms of ovarian cancer?

There is no set of symptoms that are specific to ovarian cancer. The symptoms are usually common complaints such as bloating, increase in waist size, getting full quickly after eating, and bladder symptoms. Sometimes it causes vaginal bleeding. If you experience these symptoms for two weeks or more, you should see your health care provider.

Is there a screening test for ovarian cancer?

Unfortunately, there are currently no screening tests to help detect ovarian cancer.

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed when the cancer has already spread. On a physical exam, there may be masses felt in the pelvis, leading to imaging studies that then show growths on the ovaries or in the abdomen.

What are risk factors for ovarian cancer?

• Risk increases with age, especially after middle age.
• Risk is increased if your mother, sister, aunt, nieces, or grandmother had ovarian cancer.
• If you have a family or personal history of a genetic mutation called BRCA1 or BRCA2, or with Lynch Syndrome, your risk is increased.
• If you are of Eastern European or are Ashkenazi Jewish, your risk is increased.
• Not having any children increases your risk.
• If you have endometriosis (cells from the lining of the uterus grow in other areas of the pelvis and abdomen), your risk is increased.

Is there anything that will help reduce the risk of getting ovarian cancer?

• The use of birth control for five or more years reduces the risk.
• Having your tubes tied, removing the ovaries and/or fallopian tubes reduces the risk.
• Having children reduces the risk.
• If you have relatives with ovarian cancer or genetic defects, some women choose to have their ovaries and or tubes removed to lower the risk of ovarian cancer. It is recommended for women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations between ages 35 to 45, or when childbearing is complete. It may also be recommended for women with Lynch syndrome.

How is ovarian cancer treated?

Usually, treatment starts with surgery to find the extent of the cancer, and to remove as much of the cancer as possible. It is then usually followed with chemotherapy.

Where can I learn more about ovarian cancer?

For more information, you can go to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists at https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ovarian-cancer, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/index.htm

1. https://gis.cdc.gov/Cancer/USCS/#/AtAGlance/