Ovarian cancer, it is estimated, affects 22,200 women. In the United States there are 14,000 women who die each year. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most frequent cause of cancer deaths in women. Over 50% of women who develop ovarian cancer are over the age of 65.

The most important risk factor is having a close relative (mother, sister and daughter) diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Approximately 5% to 10% of ovarian cancers are familial and three distinct hereditary patterns have been identified: ovarian cancer alone, ovarian and breast cancers, or ovarian and colon cancers.

 

There is no known way of reducing the risk other than having the ovaries removed in women with a mutation in the BRCA 1 and 2 genes or with a strong family history (multiple relatives) of breast and or ovarian cancer after age 35 when child-bearing is complete.

 

Currently there are no screening tests for ovarian cancer that have been shown to be effective in early detection of the disease. However, recent research has shown that 40% of ovarian cancers can be detected earlier by using special studies on the PAP test such as screening DNA.