Overview:
‘Ovarian cancer’ is not a singular diagnosis, rather it is an umbrella term for a multitude of different types of cancer that affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the primary peritoneal cavity. It is estimated that there are more than 30 different types of ovarian cancer, and there is a very wide variation in incidence and outlook in terms of the different types.
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of the female cancers for which there is no reliable screening test, and every women is at risk. With delays in diagnoses due to this lack of screening and because symptoms are often confused with other, less severe, illness, most women are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread, making it more difficult to treat.
Facts:
Risk factors of ovarian cancer:
- Gender: All women are at risk.
- Age: It is more common among women aged 50-75.
- Family history: A history of ovarian, breast, endometrial, or colorectal cancer increases the risk of developing this type of cancer by 10-15%.
- Ethnicity: It is common among Eastern European women.
- It usually gets diagnosed after its spread, so women with this type of cancer usually have lower chances of surviving, compared to other types of cancer.
- Genetic mutations: Having a specific genetic mutation in the breast cancer gene (BRCA gene) increases risk.
- Giving birth: Not giving birth increases the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Hormone therapy: Women taking hormone therapy are at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
- Having endometriosis also increases the chances of getting this disease.
- Exposure to asbestos (asbestos).
World Ovarian Cancer Day Objectives:
The goal of this day is to raise awareness on the disease and ways of preventing it.
All social media channels available are used to reach the largest number of people possible.
Official Date:
Globally: 8/5/2021
Locally: 26/9/1442H
Theme:
(No Woman is Left Behind)
References: