Last Updated on June 24, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Yes. Ovarian cancer is lethal because it has a low survival rate. In most cases, ovarian cancer remains asymptomatic making the condition undiagnosable till the last stage.
A study has shown that ‘more than 75% women get diagnosed at advanced stages because the early-stage condition is usually asymptomatic and symptoms of the late-stage condition are non-specific’.
The known risk factors of ovarian cancer are age, family history and breast cancer. Ovarian cancer is common and produces tumours among women who have hit menopause between 55 to 64 years of age. However, the germ cell tumour is an exception that affects women in their early 20s. Sex-linked stromal tumours can occur at any age. However, epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common reason among all and is responsible for 90% of tumours.
Besides this, the chance of ovarian cancer increases with the family history of ovarian cancer. The genetic changes in BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, RAD51C and RAD51D genes acquired from parents put women at risk of ovarian cancer. These genetic changes put women at a high risk of breast cancer, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers.
Even though ovarian cancer is dangerous, the available treatment of oophorectomy, chemotherapy and long-term use of hormonal contraceptive medication helps women live a quality life.
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