A report suggests that a silent killer will strike almost 1500 women this year in Australia, and more than half of the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die within the next five years.
The survival rate for breast cancer is 87 per cent, but for ovarian cancer it is just 42 per cent. This is because ovarian cancer has a few symptoms and no screening tests.
The latest report says that 7 out of 10 women diagnosed, will not know that they have ovarian cancer, until it is in advanced stages.
Dr Helen Zorbas said that ovarian cancer was difficult to detect in the early stages because the symptoms are vague and common. “While we don’t have a screening test it is important women who have any symptoms, if they are unusual for them, like feeing bloated or changes in bowel or urinary habits, should see their GP,” Dr Zorbas added.
The report also found that ovarian cancer cases in Australia were significantly lower than in the UK, US, New Zealand and Canada.
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