Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: a global perspective

In the UK alone, over 7000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. Of these cases, two-thirds are detected at late stages – meaning that the cancer is still survivable, but can be harder to treat. 

Sadly, eleven women will die of the disease every day – and the UK still lags behind other countries in terms of how it diagnoses and treats women. 

At PHP we are on hand to explain everything you need to know this ovarian cancer month. 

Ovarian cancer is a female reproductive cancer, and occurs when abnormal cells grow in and around the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It tends to affect women over the age of 50 but can be found in younger females too. There is evidence of being hereditary – meaning passed from generation to generation. 

There are quite a few different types and subtypes of ovarian cancer which we’ll look into now:

• Epithelial ovarian cancer: the most common form, accounting for 90% of cases. Within this type there are a few subtypes:
  • High-grade serous ovarian cancer: more than half of all cases of epithelial ovarian cancer are in this form. Surgery with chemotherapy is the best treatment.
  •  Low-grade serous ovarian cancer: is a rarer, slow-growing type of epithelial cancer, usually affecting younger women between the ages of 45 and 55.
  •  Endometrioid ovarian cancer: linked to endometriosis, this is a rarer form of cancer and can affect women of all ages. 
  • Clear cell ovarian cancer: another less-common form of this cancer affecting 3-5% of women over the age of 50. It can also be linked to endometriosis. 
  • Mucinous ovarian cancer: presents as benign or malignant tumours, but can be harder to treat with chemotherapy.  
  • Germ cell ovarian cancer: tends to present in women under the age of 30.
  •  Sex cord-stromal tumours: usually benign and found in the tissue that supports the ovary, so not diagnosed as often as other types. 
  • Primary peritoneal cancer: a cancer that begins in the peritoneum but is treated in the same way as epithelial ovarian cancer. 
  • Fallopian tube cancer: classed as ovarian cancer and responds to the same surgical and chemotherapy treatments that other ovarian cancers do. 

What about the signs and symptoms associated with the condition? If you have one or more of these then it’s a good idea to have a chat with your GP, who will be able to help.

• persistent bloating
• persistent stomach pain
• needing to pee more frequently 
• feeling full very quickly when eating meals

It’s important to note that these symptoms can be associated with other health conditions too, so seeking medical advice to rule out ovarian cancer is essential. Early detection and diagnosis is key. 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month began 19 years ago in 2005. It aims to empower women to recognise the symptoms and seek earlier diagnoses with a focus on improving their chances of survival.

Why is it needed? Well, at the present moment, in the UK, only 3 in 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive longer than a decade. 

This statistic has got to change and it is the driving force behind this important month of awareness. 

Here at PHP, we want to join forces with all the other fantastic female-focused health charities in the UK, to raise awareness and help women and healthcare practitioners gain a better understanding of ovarian cancer, so that diagnoses and treatments improve. 

Our own specialised medication delivery and homecare assistance programmes mean that patients get a first-class service that puts them at the very heart of their care. We are so proud to champion this approach.