Ovarian cancer often begins in the ovaries when cells multiply abnormally, forming tumors. Some tumors are benign (harmless), while others are malignant (cancerous). Ovarian cancer may also begin in the tissue around or near the ovaries, called the peritoneum, which has the same stem cell as the ovaries. Primary Peritoneal Cancer (PPC) occurs when the ovaries have already been removed or are present but minimally involved. PPC accounts for about 20% of ovarian cancers.
“First and foremost, if detected at an early stage, ovarian cancer is more treatable and 90% curable!”
Ovarian cancer kills more women than all other gynecologic cancers combined. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Ovarian cancer affects one in 69 women. Recent statistics from the American Cancer Society show that ovarian cancer deaths have risen by close to 18% in the past few years.
Fortunately, ovarian cancer is treatable when caught early; however, the vast majority of cases are not diagnosed until the disease has spread. Only 20% of ovarian cancer is caught early (reprinted with permission of Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, 2006).