Ovarian cancer is the 6th common cause of death in Australian women. More than 1200 cases are diagnosed each year and 800 women will unfortunately lose their battle. If found early enough ovarian cancer is curable yet the disease is often let untreated and undiagnosed until it’s too late.

1. Early detection is crucial

There is no routine test to diagnose ovarian cancer and contrary to popular belief the Pap smear test does not detect the disease. Yet if ovarian cancer is found early enough it can increase the survival by up to 80%.

Tests used to diagnose ovarian cancer include:
[ul]a pelvic examination
CA125 blood test
internal ultrasound [/ul]

Ultimately a biopsy of the tumour or cyst will confirm if cancer is present.

2. The symptoms

The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) say most women will experience at least one symptom of the disease in the year prior to their diagnosis. They include:

* persistent abdominal or pelvic pain.
* an increase in abdominal size or constant bloating
* the need to urinate often or urgently
* difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

The NBOCC recommends [b]keeping a diary to track these symptoms[/b].

If you find you experience these symptoms persistently in a 4 week period the diary will provide the doctor with a clear record of the symptoms and whether further testing is required.

If ovarian cancer is detected you should be referred to a gynaecological or oncologist.

3. There is more than one type of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is not a one-type-fits all condition. There are several types of the disease the most common being epithelial ovarian cancer which affects 90 per cent of women (usually 50 years and over). Germ cell ovarian cancer is more uncommon and affects mostly younger women. Sex-cord stromal cell ovarian cancer accounts for 5 per cent of cases and can affect women of any age. The less aggressive ovarian cancer is borderline tumours or LMP tumours.

4. Who is at risk?

Having a family history of ovarian cancer does increase the risk yet the NBOCC says 90-95% of all ovarian cancers occur in women who do not have a family history. Other known risk factors include:

* age (women over 50 years fall into the high-risk category)
* having never been pregnant
* having never taken oral contraceptives
* smoking
* being overweight
* endometriosis
* a family history of cancer
* having multiple exposures to fertility drugs

5. Protective factors

Women who have had children take oral contraceptives have had a hysterectomy or their fallopian tubes tied may reduce their risk of ovarian cancer. It’s thought this may be because their ovaries have not encountered regular ovulation.