Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is observed every March in the UK, with its aim being to educate the public, support those affected, and advocate for better research and early detection. Around 7,400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the UK. Globally, ovarian cancer is the 8th most common female cancer, accounting for around 3.7% of cancer cases and 4.7% of cancer-related deaths in 2020.
The disease remains one of the most lethal gynaecological cancers, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis. Because ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague – such as bloating, pelvic pain, and feeling full quickly – it is commonly mistaken for other conditions, delaying diagnosis and reducing survival rates.
Awareness and Early Detection are Key
One of the biggest challenges with ovarian cancer is early detection. Unlike cervical or breast cancer, there is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. As a result, most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more difficult.
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month provides a good opportunity to increase awareness of the potential symptoms of ovarian cancer, and encourage more women to recognise potential warning signs, prompting them to seek medical advice sooner. The symptoms and risk factors include:
- Family history of ovarian or breast cancer
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations
- Age (most common in women over 50)
- Endometriosis and other hormonal factors
How Can You Support Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month?
Whether you’re wearing teal (the official colour for ovarian cancer awareness), participating in local events, or writing to your MP to advocate for better funding and policies, there are many ways to make a difference. Here’s how you can get involved:
1. Wear Teal and Raise Awareness
- Wear teal ribbons, scarves, or clothing to spark conversations.
- Share information on social media using hashtags like #OvarianCancerAwarenessMonth.
2. Participate in Fundraising Events
- Join or organise a charity walk, run, or fundraiser to support research and patient services.
- Donate to organisations like Target Ovarian Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Action.
3. Advocate for Policy Changes
- Email or write to your local MP to encourage government support for better early detection strategies and increased research funding.
- Sign petitions for more accessible genetic testing and preventive care for high-risk individuals.
4. Support Those Affected by Ovarian Cancer
- Volunteer with support groups and charities to assist those undergoing treatment.
- Offer emotional support to friends or family members affected by the disease.
Recent Trends and Research
In a recent review in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, Webb and Jordan describe how ovarian cancer incidence trends have changed. Until the early 2000s, Northern Europe and North America had the highest age-standardised incidence rates, but these are now declining. However, cases are increasing in parts of Eastern Europe and Asia, possibly due to differences in risk factors, healthcare access, and genetic predisposition.
Fallopian Tube Origin
Most high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas are now recognised to originate in the fimbrial ends of the fallopian tubes, rather than the ovaries themselves. This has led to increased coding of cases as being fallopian tube in origin, which may contribute to the apparent decline in ovarian cancer cases in some parts of the world, especially in high-income countries.
Potential Prevention Strategies: Opportunistic Salpingectomy
One promising prevention strategy is opportunistic salpingectomy, which involves the removal of the fallopian tubes during routine surgeries like hysterectomy or tubal ligation. This procedure may significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer while delaying the need for oophorectomy among women at high genetic risk (e.g., BRCA mutation carriers).
The Future of Ovarian Cancer Research?
While awareness is important, continued research and funding are what’s needed to really improve ovarian cancer outcomes. In the near future, we would like to see:
- Development of effective screening tests for earlier detection
- Improved targeted therapies for personalised treatment
- Genetic testing accessibility for women at risk
In Conclusion
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month gives us a good opportunity to spread the word about the importance of early detection, research funding, and support for those affected. By educating ourselves, raising awareness, and advocating for change, we can help reduce the devastating impact of ovarian cancer. Whether through fundraising, wearing teal, or contacting your MP, every effort counts.
Webb, Jordan. Global epidemiology of epithelial ovarian cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 21, 389-400 (2024):
