Ovarian Cancer: The Low-Down of What Every Woman Needs to Know

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries of women.

Women have two ovaries on either side of the uterus, which produce hormones as well as eggs. Ovarian cancers occur when abnormal cells in (or around) the ovary divide in an uncontrollable way and form a tumor.

If, and sadly more often than not, when the abnormal cells spread to other parts of the abdomen and body, the cancer is referred to as metastatic ovarian cancer.

Those are three words with huge implications for a woman.

Knowledge is power with ovarian cancer, and it is the first line of defence against a terrible disease.

This article provides an overview of what every woman should know about this cancer, including risk factors, prevention, and treatment options.

Understanding the Types

Ovarian cancer is not a single disease, but rather one with multiple subtypes. The main types include Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Stromal Tumors, and Germ Cell Tumors.

Epithelial cancers have multiple subtypes. Stromal Tumors are rare and form in the supporting tissue of the ovaries, while germ cell tumors can be benign or malignant.

Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC) is a rare subtype of ovarian cancer that grows slowly but is difficult to treat because it is resistant to standard chemotherapies and there are limited targeted therapies available.

Risk Factors

A staggering 1 in 78 people with ovaries will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 10 of those people will be under 45.

Ovarian cancer can affect any woman, but some groups are at higher risk because of genetics, reproductive history, and lifestyle. Women over 50, particularly post-menopausal ones, face a higher than average risk.

Hereditary risks are factors, particularly for women with a family history of breast, colorectal, or ovarian cancer in close relatives. Inherited genetic mutations, particularly those linked to BRCA1 and BRCA2, have a significantly higher chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Awareness Month

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and women’s health advocates, survivors, and families and friends around the world unite to recognize and shine a light on one of the deadliest gynecological cancers.

While cancer research continues at warp speed for some cancers, ovarian cancer research is underfunded and underrepresented. Awareness Month exists to change that story and drive community events, digital outreach programs, and public campaigns that highlight the disease and progress in treatment options.

September 9^th is LGSOC Day, dedicated to raising awareness about LGSOC, because although it is a rare subtype, the average survival rate after diagnosis is only 9 years.

Why Early Detection Is Challenging

There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer.

Blood tests and imaging scans may be used, but they are not effective for detecting early-stage disease.

Ovarian cancer symptoms are subtle and misleading, often mistaken for common issues that are nothing to worry too much about.

Abdominal bloating, urinary urgency, and pelvic discomfort symptoms may overlap with several benign conditions; they should not be ignored – particularly if they are persistent.

Women’s ovaries are small, almond-shaped organs located deep within the pelvis, making physical examination less effective when compared to other cancers that occur in more accessible parts of the body, such as breast cancer.

The Birth Control Missing Link

According to the National Cancer Institute, women who have ever used oral contraceptives have up to a 50% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer than women who have never used oral contraceptives.

The risk reduction is likely linked to the suppression of ovulation. Fewer lifetime ovulations mean fewer opportunities for abnormal cells to grow in and around the ovaries, which can lead to cancer.

Implants, injections, and the hormonal IUD may also provide some protective benefits, but the research on these is far less extensive than for oral contraceptives.

What is worth noting is that a woman’s risk for developing breast and cervical cancers is higher in women who have used oral contraceptives for 5 or more years, but this risk has been found to decline after discontinuing use.

In Conclusion

Diagnosing ovarian cancer remains one of the greatest hurdles facing women’s health.

Understanding that doesn’t mean women have to live in fear; instead, they should live with knowledge.

Every woman, regardless of where she lives, who she loves, or what she earns, deserves the best possible care. Advocacy and awareness campaigns equip women to make proactive health decisions.

Awareness and advocacy play a vital role in the fight against ovarian cancer by bringing this disease into the spotlight, reducing stigma, and reminding women how powerful their intuition can be if they just learn to listen to it.