However, since her mother experienced early menopause, both she and the doctor assumed Shania was going through the same thing. A couple of months later, Shania began losing weight.
At first, she was thrilled. However, she soon realized she was losing too much weight too fast. The weight loss was accompanied by abdominal bloating and chronic fatigue.
Almost six months after her initial complaint, the doctor recommended a visit to the gynaecologist. The gynaecologist performed a transvaginal ultrasound which detected ovarian cancer.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Meghan Mayhew, Director of Education, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, USA, says "Ovarian cancer, which affects the cells of the ovaries, is one of the deadliest forms of gynecologic cancers."
She provides the following statistics about ovarian cancer:
- Ovarian cancer affects one in 70 women, across the world.
- Most cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the late stages, and almost three-fourths of the 20,000 women diagnosed with this cancer each year, succumb to the disease.
- Patients diagnosed in the early stages are more likely to survive beyond five years.
- Approximately 65-75% of ovarian cancer patients diagnosed in stage III or IV have a relapse.
The incidence of ovarian cancer is comparatively lower in India, according to Dr. Amish V. Dalal, surgical and gynecologic oncologist at Jaslok, Breach Candy and Bhatia hospitals.
However, the occurrence of ovarian cancer is linked to breast cancer; and with breast cancer on the rise among Indian women, the odds of developing ovarian cancer are also increasing.
 Click here to take theBreast Self Exam |
Types of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer affects the cells of the ovaries. There are several types of ovarian cancers, based on the cells they affect, as shown in the following table:
| Type of Ovarian Cancer | Affected Cells |
| Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma (commonest and most dangerous type) | Cells of the ovary's surface |
| Germ Cell Carcinoma (prevalent among women in their 20s) | Egg-forming cells |
| Stromal Carcinoma (rarest type) | Tissues of the ovaries, cells that produce estrogen and progesterone |
Mail this Topic 
A Network Eighteen Venture
Tell us what you think…