February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. With 1,400 new cases diagnosed every year, this cancer is the eighth most likely to affect women in Australia.

In this article, we’re going to look at ovarian cancer in Australia, its symptoms and treatment.

We’ll also give you some ideas for raising awareness of the disease.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells grow in or near the ovaries.

There are many different types of the disease, but the most common is epithelial ovarian cancer, which originates in the cells outside the ovary or ovaries. It’s diagnosed in 90% of ovarian cancer cases.

Ovarian cancer symptoms

Because there is no screening or early detection test available for ovarian cancer, it’s essential to know the symptoms. They can include:

  • An increase in the size of your abdomen or abdominal bloating
  • Pain in your abdomen or pelvic area
  • A feeling of fullness even if you’ve just eaten a small amount
  • Indigestion
  • The need to urinate frequently or with urgency
  • Constipation or diarrhoea
  • Problems with your menstrual cycle
  • Fatigue
  • Pain during sex
  • Bleeding after sex
  • Bleeding in between periods or after the menopause
  • Lower back pain
  • Unusual weight gain or loss

While these symptoms can be due to many other conditions, it’s best to get checked by a doctor if you experience them. They will examine you and may order blood tests and scans to reach a diagnosis.

Ovarian cancer causes

It’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly causes ovarian cancer. But certain factors can put you at higher risk of developing the disease. These include:

  • Your age, as the risk increases in women over the age of 50
  • A family history of ovarian, breast or bowel cancer
  • A mutation (change) in the BRAC1 or BRAC2 genes
  • Being of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
  • Staring your periods before the age of 12 or having a late menopause
  • Not having had children or having them after the age of 35
  • Using an oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy
  • Undergoing fertility treatment

It’s good to know that there are also factors that lower your risk of developing ovarian cancer:

  • Using the oral contraceptive pill over several years
  • Having your fallopian tubes removed or tied
  • Having children before the age of 35
  • Breastfeeding

Ovarian cancer treatment

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your treatment plan will depend on how far it has spread.

Surgery is the primary treatment used for ovarian cancer. It generally involves removing both the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Your uterus (womb) and a layer of fatty tissue in the abdomen known as omentum may also be removed.

You may be offered chemotherapy before or after surgery. This can be administered through a drip or as tablets.

Chemotherapy may also be offered as a treatment if your cancer returns after the initial surgery.

Radiotherapy is sometimes used to treat ovarian cancer. Beams of radiation kill cancer cells or shrink tumours.

Patients may also be offered targeted therapies. These special drugs change how the cancer cells work and stop cancer from spreading.

Palliative care may be given to patients in the advanced stages of the disease. The aim is to improve your quality of life rather than offer a cure. It may involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy or oral medication.

What can I do to raise awareness of ovarian cancer?

Now that you know more about ovarian cancer, you may wish to raise awareness of this disease during the month of February. Here’s how.

Host a tea party for friends, neighbours or colleagues. You can charge a small fee for them to attend and donate the proceeds to ovarian cancer charities. Have information on the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer available to spread the word.

Teal blue is the colour for ovarian cancer awareness. Wear this colour throughout February to show your support. Know that the last Wednesday in February (23 February 2022) is Teal Ribbon Day, so wear your ribbon with pride to show you care.

You could also wear a medical alert bracelet to raise awareness. Medical ID bracelets may be pre-printed with a specific condition or disease, or you can customise plain bracelets with the wording of your choice, which could include the name of a loved one affected by ovarian cancer. A metal medical alert bracelet also makes a thoughtful gift this month for someone you love who is living with this disease.

Shop medical ID bracelets for ovarian cancer awareness

This February, make it your mission to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. With no screening available, it’s imperative to know the symptoms so that treatment can be started sooner rather than later.

One of the easiest ways to raise awareness is to wear a medical ID bracelet this month. It can act as a conversation starter and get people talking about this hidden disease… and it will look stylish and on-trend too!

Take a look at the Mediband collection and order your medical wristband to spread the word about ovarian cancer this February.