World Ovarian Cancer Day: Speaking Up for Women’s Health

oncare team
Updated on May 10, 2025 17:23 IST

By Raveena M Prakash

World Ovarian Cancer Day is observed on May 8th, 2025. This day aims to increase awareness about this cancer and its prevention across the world. There are some signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, including bloating, pelvic pain, and sudden urination, that go unnoticed. The majority of times, most cases are diagnosed once the cancer has reached an advanced stage and reduced the chance of recovery. This day emphasizes the need for an early diagnosis, better treatment options, and extra support and care for those diagnosed with this cancer.

In this article, we’ll discover more about this cancer and its symptoms and causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and how you can raise awareness on World Ovarian Cancer Day.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the growth of abnormal cells or cancerous cells that form in the ovaries. These cancerous cells multiply rapidly, spread and destroy healthy cells in the ovaries out of control. A woman’s reproductive system contains two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs along with two hormones called estrogen and progesterone.

What are the causes of ovarian cancer?

The exact cause of developing this type of cancer in women is not clear yet. However, there are some factors that increase the risk of developing this type of cancer in women. These are known as ovarian cancer risk factors; 

These may include:

  • Women above the age 40 and 50
  • Experiencing overweight and obesity
  • Family history of cancer
  • Never being pregnant 
  • Late pregnancy
  • Endometriasis

Symptoms of Ovarian cancer

In the majority of cases, this type of cancer develops and spreads rapidly without showing any signs and symptoms in women. This might make early diagnosis more difficult; this often leads to the cancer being diagnosed in the advanced stage. 

Symptoms of this cancer may include:

  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Experiencing discomfort and bloating
  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Menopause
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Experiencing bowel changes
  • Diarrhea and constipation
  • The increase of the abdomen’s size
  • Feeling the urge of frequent urination
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue 
  • Back pain
  • Abdominal bloating or swelling

How to detect this cancer in its early stages?

Detecting this type of cancer in the early stages is often considered challenging; this cancer won’t show any symptoms or signs in its initial stages. Unfortunately, there is no screening test for the detection of this cancer for women who show any symptoms or risk factors. 

However, if you experience any symptoms, then the doctor might perform a pelvic examination. During the examination, if they find any abnormal growth and any enlarged organs, they might conduct some tests.

These may include:

  • Imaging tests: Pelvic ultrasound, MRIs, CTScan, PET CT scan 
  • Blood tests: CA125 tests: In these tests, they might check for the substance called CA125 substance called for the presence of this cancer.
  • Surgical evaluation: In this test, the surgeon might perform surgery to detect the presence of cancer in a suspected patient.
  • Laparoscopy: In this procedure, a surgeon might place a thin camera called a laparoscope through a small cut called an incision made in the abdomen of the patient. Using this device as a guide along with an additional device to hold other instruments, the surgeon might assess the cancer and perform cancer staging biopsies and, in some cases, remove the cancers.

Treatments

The major treatment options considered for treating this cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy. 

However, choosing these treatment plans majorly depends on the type of cancer, its stage, and the individual medical conditions of a patient.

Surgery

In a surgical procedure, the surgical oncologist might consider the removal of ovaries and any reproductive organs that have cancer growth. The surgeon might use devices such as a laparoscope and perform minimally invasive surgery, also known as laparotomy, which is an open surgery that requires an abdominal incision.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an effective treatment used for the treatment of this cancer. The doctor might recommend chemotherapy before or after the surgery. Chemotherapy drugs are powerful to target and destroy cancerous cells in the patient’s body. In some cases, the chemotherapy drugs are taken in the form of pills or taken intravenously.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is another effective treatment used for the treatment of this cancer. This treatment is a powerful treatment option for this type of cancer, and it's often used to attack and identify cancer cells in the patient's body. However, this treatment generally attacks the cancerous cells and avoids harming the healthy cells in the body. These treatments potentially slow down and stop the spreading of cancer cells effectively.

Hormone therapy

In some cases, this cancer uses several hormones to grow cancer in the body. With the help of hormone therapy, this blocks hormones that help the cancer to grow and spread in the body. Hormonal therapy is used to block, stop, and spread the cancer growth in the ovaries.

Radiation Therapy

In some rare cases, healthcare providers might use radiation therapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Radiation therapy for this cancer is used when the cancer has reached its advanced stage, and this treatment helps to provide some relief and comfort from the symptoms of this cancer.

How can you raise awareness about this cancer?

Raising awareness about this cancer on World Ovarian Cancer Day is a key to promoting early diagnosis and awareness in suspected and high-risk groups of people. 

Here are some ways to raise awareness about this cancer; these may include:

  • Encourage regular health screenings and checkups: Women who are above 40 and belong to the high-risk group should get screened to avoid the chance of this cancer growth. 
  • Donate and fundraise to help poor patients: Consider supporting the poor patients with donations and fundraising for their effective treatments for successful recovery. 
  • Support and offer care for the affected patients: Provide support and care for the affected patients by offering help with their daily chores, hospital visits, and chemotherapy. 
  • Organize and support awareness campaigns: Consider taking part in the cancer awareness program by organizing or supporting the awareness campaigns with the help of healthcare activists and organizers.
  • Educate and share information about this cancer: Start educating and sharing awareness about this cancer and its symptoms, causes, risk factors, and the importance of early diagnosis.

Consult Today

A cancer diagnosis is often scary and overwhelming to handle. World Ovarian Cancer Day serves as an important reminder to all the women about ovarian cancer. This day is observed to show that awareness is only the beginning towards the prevention of this type of cancer in women. On this day, it is observed to encourage every woman who is above 40 to get screened, understand the causes and symptoms of ovarian cancer if you belong to high-risk groups, and take essential action to prevent and save lives against cancer.

At Oncare, we understand the value of early diagnosis and effective cancer treatment for this cancer; that’s why we offer affordable cancer treatments along with experienced ovarian cancer specialist consultation.

If you or any loved ones of yours are having any symptoms of cancer or planning to get a physical examination, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialists today. Get an estimated cost of your treatments now!

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