What is ovarian cancer and how common is it?

Cancer is a disease of cells in the body. Normally cells grow and multiply in an orderly way, with new cells made only when they are needed. When someone has cancer, this process goes wrong and cancer cells grow and multiply too quickly. As they multiply and grow, the cancer cells damage healthy tissue.

In ovarian cancer, the cancer cells come from the ovary. This is called a primary ovarian cancer. However, in some instances these cells are thought to come from the fallopian tubes that are close to your ovaries. Sometimes the cells can spread beyond the ovary to the womb, abdomen and lungs. The cells then grow in these new sites as secondary tumours. When cancer spreads like this, it is called metastasis. 

In the UK, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women, with over 6500 women diagnosed each year. The majority of cases occur in women who have gone through the menopause and are usually aged over 50, but younger women can also be affected. 

There are several types of ovarian cancer. The most common type is epithelial ovarian cancer, which develops from the surface layer of cells in the ovary. This cancer type is rare in young women and is usually found in women who have been through the menopause. 

It is important to have yearly gynaecological consultations accompanied with transvaginal ultrasound examinations for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The earlier the disease is found and treated, the better the survival rate.