Ovarian cancer
Several possible causes of ovarian cancer have been identified, along with risks that may make developing the condition more likely.
Predictive genetic test for cancer risk genes begins with a change (mutation) in the structure of the DNA in cells, which can affect how they grow. This means that cells grow and reproduce uncontrollably, producing a lump of tissue called a tumour.
In ovarian cancer, cells in the ovary start to change and grow abnormally. If the cancer isn't identified at an early stage, it can spread to the abdomen and pelvis, including other parts of the female reproductive system.
The exact cause of epithelial ovarian cancer (the main type) isn't known, but certain things may increase your risk of developing it.
Your risk of ovarian cancer increases with age, with most cases occurring after the menopause . More than 8 out of 10 cases of ovarian cancer occur in women who are over 50 years of age.
If you have two or more close relatives (mother, sister or daughter) who developed ovarian cancer or breast cancer , your risk of also developing the condition may be increased.
If your relatives developed cancer before the age of 50, it's more likely it was the result of an inherited faulty gene. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are faulty genes that are linked to ovarian cancer. They're also known to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Having relatives with ovarian cancer doesn't mean you definitely have a faulty gene in the family the cancer could have happened by chance. Only 1 in 10 (10%) of ovarian cancers are thought to be caused by a faulty gene.
You may be at a high risk of having a faulty gene if you have:
If you're at a higher risk of having a faulty gene, your GP can refer you for tests to check for faulty BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Every time an egg is released into the reproductive system, the surface of the ovary breaks to let it out. The surface of the ovary is damaged during this process and needs to be repaired. Each time this happens, there's a greater chance of abnormal cell growth during the repair.
This may be why the risk of ovarian cancer decreases if you take the contraceptive pill , or have multiple pregnancies or periods of breastfeeding. At these times, eggs aren't released.
There's no strong evidence to show that women who have infertility treatment have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, it's thought that infertility itself may increase ovarian cancer risk and research into this area is being carried out.
Women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have been shown to have a small increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, if HRT is stopped, after five years the risk is reduced to the same level as women who've never taken HRT.
Endometriosis may also increase your risk of ovarian cancer. In endometriosis, the cells that usually line the womb grow elsewhere in the body.
These endometrial cells behave as if they were in the womb, so thickening and bleeding that usually occurs during menstruation occurs in other parts of the body. There's no way for this endometrial tissue to leave the body so it becomes trapped, leading to pain, swelling and bleeding in that area.
In the UK, around 7,100 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. It's the fifth most common cancer among women.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognise, particularly in the condition's early stages.
Several possible causes of ovarian cancer have been identified, along with risk factors that may make developing the condition more likely.
See your GP as soon as possible if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer. They will gently feel your tummy and ask about your symptoms, general health and family history.
If you have cancer, a team of specialists will work together to provide you with the best possible treatment and care. This is known as a multidisciplinary team.
How ovarian cancer will affect your daily life depends on the stage your condition is at and what treatment you're having.
There's currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. However, there are a number of things that may help to prevent ovarian cancer.
My problems started in 2003. Id been having a difficult year, as both my father and brother died within three months of each other.
Practice nurse Ruth Payne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 42.