Cancer of the ovary is more common in women who have never had children than in those who have. It may occur at any age but is most usual between the ages of 50 and 80. Before age 30, the incidence is less than 1 in 50,000. After 55 it is about 1 in 2000 women. The incidence peaks in women in their seventies.The use of oral contraceptives reduces the risk by three-quarters. The condition can run in families. A woman with one close relative with the disease has twice the general risk of getting it.

Ovarian cancer is sometimes called 'the silent killer' because it often develops undetected until it has grown and spread, displacing and invading the womb (uterus) and spreading widely within the pelvis and abdomen. About two-thirds of women have cancer that has already spread beyond the pelvis at the time of diagnosis.

In most cases the cause is unknown. However, an inherited faulty gene causes a small number of ovarian cancers.

Treatment is by surgery. The womb and both ovaries must be removed, as the second ovary often also contains a tumour.

Ovarian cancer often responds very well to anti-cancer chemotherapy drug treatment.

Symptoms

Ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can be subtle and are often mistaken for those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pre-menstrual syndrome. However, if the cancer is recognised early while still confined to the ovary, the chances of successful treatment are good.

The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

• A persistently bloated or swollen abdomen
• Pain in the abdomen or back
• Digestive problems, like indigestion, bloating, constipation and lack of appetite
• Bowel or bladder changes, with constant or gradually worsening symptoms
• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina (this is uncommon, but should always be reported to your GP)
• Weight loss
• Increasing tiredness