1 in 100 woman is at risk of developing ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer usually happens in 50-60 year old ladies. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of all gynaecological cancers. It is a silent killer as most women are asymptomatic or have mild and vague symptoms until the disease progresses to an advanced stage. The common symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

Abdominal pain

Abdominal bloating

Loss of appetite

Frequent urination

Feeling full too quickly

85% of ovarian cancers happen due to no particular reason. 15% of ovarian cancers happen due to a faulty gene running in the family, which puts women in that family at risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

Diagnosis is usually made by an ultrasound scan of the abdomen and pelvis. A blood test (Serum ca125) is also sometimes performed.

Treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the stage of the disease. If the disease is caught early, surgery in the form of an up and down cut on the tummy (midline laparotomy) involving removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), removal of ovaries, lymph nodes from pelvis and para-aortic area and total omentectomy is recommended.

If the cancer is beyond a very early stage, chemotherapy is also required. For very advanced cancers, treatment begins with chemotherapy and surgery if feasible is offered half way through chemotherapy (after 3 cycles).

When diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it is important to be seen by a cancer trained in cancer management.