Ovarian Cancer

Overview Download brochure Digital ovarian cancer patient path Symptoms Risk factors Diagnosis Treatment
Ovarian Cancer

Overview

The ovaries are two oval-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus/womb and just below the opening of the fallopian tubes. They are responsible for producing eggs, or ‘ova’, and releasing the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

 

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, approximately 66,693 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020, with approximately 44,053 associated fatalities. In Europe, ovarian cancer ranks as the eighth most common type of the disease and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

In 2022, Europe recorded the highest rates of ovarian cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. These rates were notably higher in Central and Eastern Europe and lower in Southern Europe. A little less than 40% of women in Europe remain alive five years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This survival rate is strongly influenced by the stage at which the cancer is
detected, with advanced-stage diagnoses often having poorer outcomes.

Download brochure

For more information on ovarian cancer download the ENGAGe brochure What is ovarian cancer or Gynaecological cancers in Europe (2024 update). If you are interested in PARP inhibitors, please scroll down to Tretament.

Download

Visit Digital ovarian cancer patient path

It’s so important to get trustworthy, accurate information about every step of your disease. Olivia is a comprehensive diginal ovarian cancer patient path and a single source of information for patients who have been diagnosed, being treated for and living with ovarian cancer, as well as their families, support networks and healthcare teams.

Visit Olivia

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

  • Feeling constantly bloated
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal (belly) swelling with weight loss
  • Feeling full quickly when eating
  • Discomfort in the pelvis area
  • A frequent need to urinate
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
  • Pain during sex

Risk factors

The exact cause of ovarian cancer is still unknown. However, doctors identified some factors that may increase a woman’s risk of getting it, such as:

  • Age 50 or older
  • Having a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer (BRCA mutation)
  • Estrogen hormone replacement therapy, especially with long-term use and in large doses
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Never having children

Diagnosis

pexels-mart-production-7089401 1

If you have any signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer, you should ask your doctor about them
Before making a diagnosis, your doctor will:

  • Ask about your symptoms and general health
  • Check for any swelling or lumps in your abdomen
  • Carry out an internal examination
  • Ask about ovarian or breast cancer history in your family
  • Take a blood sample

Treatment

The treatment for ovarian cancer depends on how far it has spread, your general health and whether you’re still able/willing to have children.
The most common treatments are surgery and chemotherapy.
Although there has been limited improvement in 5-year survival for most ovarian cancer patients over the past three decades, the introduction of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors as maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer has resulted in improvements in progression-free survival and a trend toward improved overall survival.

PARP inhibitors brochure

For more information on PARP inhibitors please consult our brochure PARP inhibitors - a new treatment option for ovarian cancer.

Download
PARP inhibitors brochure