Ovarian cancer, the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers, has provided a significant challenge for the scientific community. While survival rates for other women’s cancers – like breast and cervical cancer – have increased dramatically in recent years, the incidence and mortality of ovarian cancer has remained unchanged in 50 years. This is primarily due to the lack of an accurate early detection test for the disease.

When caught in its earliest stages, survival rates can be as high as 90 percent. Regrettably, however, early symptoms of ovarian cancer are difficult to diagnose, are often misdiagnosed, or go undetected, which leads to nearly 75% of all ovarian cancer patients being diagnosed in advanced stages. Long-term survival rate for advanced ovarian cancer is only 10%.

We encourage women to know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer to help catch the disease at its earliest stages.

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Take Action:

These symptoms may be caused by ovarian cancer or by other less serious conditions. It is important to check with a doctor, preferably a gynecologist, about these symptoms if they are new and persist for 2-3 weeks, especially if you experience several at one time. Tests for ovarian cancers include a combination pelvic/rectal exam, CA 125 blood test and a transvaginal ultrasound. A Pap smear is NOT a test for ovarian cancer. If ovarian cancer is suspected, consult a gynecologic oncologist.

Helpful Links:

Centers for Disease Control and Cancer Prevention and Control on Ovarian Cancer