Ovarian cancer is one of the most challenging and elusive cancers affecting women. According to data from Cancer Research UK (CRUK)*, the estimated lifetime risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is estimated to be 1 in 56 – about 2% – for women born in 1961 in the UK. While this percentage might seem small, it’s significant when we consider the severity and complexity of this disease.
Why Does Ovarian Cancer Risk Increase With Age?
One of the most consistent and well-documented risk factors for ovarian cancer is age. This largely reflects the fact that cell DNA damage accumulates over time. This damage can happen naturally, through internal processes like cell division, or as a result of external exposures such as environmental pollutants, lifestyle choices, or even occupational hazards. While not every woman with DNA damage develops ovarian cancer, the risk increases the longer we live. Most cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in women over the age of 50.
Key Lifestyle and Environmental Risk Factors
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable contributors:
- Obesity: Responsible for about 7% of all ovarian cancer cases. Excess body fat, particularly visceral fat around internal organs, can lead to chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances that create a favourable environment for cancer development.
- Smoking: While its contribution to ovarian cancer is relatively small (less than 1%), smoking is still a known carcinogen and contributes to various other cancers and health problems.
- Occupational Exposure: Some women may be exposed to harmful substances in their workplace, though this accounts for less than 1% of cases. Still, it’s important to consider occupational health and safety in risk assessments.
These figures help paint a clearer picture of what influences ovarian cancer development. However, knowledge alone isn’t enough – we must also act on this data to improve early diagnosis and treatment.
The Promise of HIPEC and Innovative Surgical Solutions
One of the most exciting advances in recent years is the development of Combat Medical’s HIPEC – Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.
HIPEC involves the circulation of heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery. This method allows for a higher concentration of chemotherapy to reach the cancer cells with fewer systemic side effects. It’s particularly beneficial in treating cancers like ovarian cancer that tend to spread within the peritoneal cavity.
When used in conjunction with advanced surgical techniques, HIPEC has the potential to dramatically improve survival rates and quality of life for patients. It’s not just about adding years to life, but also adding life to years.
Smarter Diagnosis and Intraoperative Visualisation
Another area where progress is being made is in improving the accuracy of pre-surgical diagnostics and intraoperative visualisation. At Combat Medical, we believe these tools are essential in the fight against ovarian cancer.
Accurate imaging and diagnostic tests before surgery help clinicians understand the extent of the disease, enabling better planning and more effective interventions. Meanwhile, enhanced visualisation during surgery – using advanced imaging technologies – helps surgeons identify and remove more cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Together with HIPEC, these improvements represent a real game-changer. They offer new hope for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, improving both outcomes and recovery experiences.
In Conclusion
While the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer in the UK remains around 1 in 56, that number only tells part of the story. With age being the predominant risk factor and other contributors like obesity and smoking playing a role, there’s a clear need for proactive prevention and early intervention.
But perhaps most exciting is the progress being made in treatment. The integration of HIPEC, better surgical diagnostics, and real-time visualisation is reshaping how we treat ovarian cancer – and we would like to think that we are leading the charge with this revolution. With ongoing innovation, collaboration, and patient-centred care, we’re hopefully moving closer to a world where ovarian cancer is not just treatable, but beatable.
