Understanding Ovarian Cancer
February marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial period dedicated to raising awareness about ovarian cancer, its symptoms, early detection methods, and the importance of research and support for those affected by the disease. With thousands of women diagnosed each year, understanding and attention towards ovarian cancer have never been more critical.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
The ovaries are a pair of organs in the female reproductive system, located on each side of the uterus.
Ovaries produce eggs and female hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone and are mainly made of three types of cells: Epithelial, Germ and stromal cells.
Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum grow in an uncontrolled way.
Ovarian cancer sadly often goes undetected as often there are no symptoms in the early stages, or if a woman does experience symptoms, they are mistaken for other ailments and can be subtle.
Often symptoms are confused with less severe illnesses, especially gastrointestinal complaints or are experienced by people who do not have ovarian cancer such as bloating, eating complications, change in bowel habits or extreme fatigue.
In the later stages many patients have experienced symptoms, but they are non-specific, such as loss of appetite and weight loss.
Whilst a small number of cases are linked to genetic factors, in most instances the causes of ovarian cancer remain unknown.
The risk of developing the disease increases with age with most cases being diagnosed in women 65 and over.
With most cases not found until it has spread within the pelvis and stomach, at this late stage, this type of cancer is more difficult to treat and can be fatal.
In advanced disease, ovarian cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body to form secondary cancers, in a process called metastasis.
Each year in Australia around 1,815 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In most cases the cancer will be diagnosed at an advanced stage, where it is very difficult to treat.
Currently there is no test that accurately detects early ovarian cancer. There are a number of tests that doctors will perform if they suspect an ovarian cancer diagnosis, including a physical examination of the abdomen and pelvis, CT, MRI or PET scans, blood tests and an endoscope, to name a few.
The only way to confirm a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is through a biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is removed to be examined under a microscope.
That is why it’s vitally important that every Australian knows more about ovarian cancer and its early symptoms.
In February there is a call to the community to get teal ribbons out and wear them proudly
every day to start conversations that change lives, increase awareness of ovarian cancer and will help raise funds to support people affected by ovarian cancer.
The silent killer
•In Australia around 1815 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.
•Approximately 1000 of these lives are lost annually.
•Less than 20% of new cases are diagnosed at stage 1. Due to the lack of early detection and rarely any symptoms, approximately 70% of cases once diagnosed are in the advanced stages.
•The chance of surviving at least five years is 49%. This is the lowest for female specific cancers with breast cancer 92%, uterine cancer 84% and cervical cancer 74%.
•In Australia, ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cause of death from cancer among females.
•It is estimated that sadly 10,000 Australian women and girls will lose their lives to ovarian cancer.
•Only 31% of Australians know that ovarian cancer has the poorest survival rate of any female cancer in Australia.
•One in 84 women in Australia (1.2%) will likely be diagnosed by their 85th birthday
•Ovarian cancer is the 8th most common cancer in women around the world and is also the 8th most common cause of death from cancer among women around the world.
•Across the world 324,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year with 207,000 sadly losing their battle with the disease globally.
•Around 20-25 percent of people diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a hereditary tendency to develop the disease. Of those cases, 10–15% are linked to an inherited genetic mutation in one of two genes which are called BRCA1 and BRCA2.
It’s time to ovary-act
In recognition of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, local GP Dr Ayon Guha, spoke to the Yarrawonga Chronicle and Corowa Free Press to highlight the critical aspects of ovarian cancer, a condition that affects numerous women yet often remains undetected until advanced stages.
Ovarian cancer presents in several types, with the common epithelial type accounting for 90 per cent of cases. This type originates from the outer cells of the ovary. Other forms include the germ cell type and the rare stromal type, contributing to around 4 per cent and lesser-known percentages of cases, respectively.
Dr Ayon said ovarian cancer is a stealthy nature, highlighting the challenge in early detection due to its often asymptomatic progression.
“Symptoms can be non-specific and easily overlooked,” Dr Ayon explained.
“Common signs include stomach aches, back pain, abdominal bloating, changes in urination or menstrual periods, and nausea—symptoms that many might not immediately associate with ovarian cancer.
“Women that been on hormone replacement therapy or who have been on oral contraceptives for a long time, often that will mask a lot of symptoms.
“The real problem lies in the disease’s silent progression. By the time more definitive symptoms appear, the cancer is usually quite advanced.”
Dr Ayon stressed the importance of early detection, urging women, especially those over 45 or with a family history of ovarian, breast, or bowel cancer, to consult their GP if they notice persistent symptoms.
“If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer early, it is very easy to treat; however, the problem is usually not detected early on,” he said.
“If women start noticing symptoms, see your GP. That should trigger some investigation, including blood tests and ultrasounds.”
Treatment strategies for ovarian cancer are contingent upon the stage at diagnosis.
“Early-stage cancers, confined to the ovary, have a good prognosis, often treated effectively with surgery and possibly chemotherapy,” Dr Ayon said.
“However, for advanced cases, treatment becomes more complex, potentially involving extensive surgical procedures and additional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies.”
Dr Ayon highlighted the excellent oncology resources available in the region, including the oncology team in Albury and specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists in Wodonga.
“We are very fortunate with the set-up we have in our local region,” he said.
“For cases requiring more specialised treatment, referrals are made to the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne or the Peter MacCallum Centre.
Dr Ayon’s message for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month was one of vigilance and awareness, encouraging women to listen to their bodies and seek medical advice for any concerns.
“Awareness and early detection are key. We have the resources and the expertise to fight ovarian cancer, but we need to catch it early,” he said.