What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer starts in a woman's ovaries. There are two ovaries, one on each side of the pelvis. The ovaries produce eggs and are the main source of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

A woman's menstrual cycle is usually about 28 days. Every month, at around the middle of the menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary in a process called ovulation. The egg travels from the ovary through the fallopian tube to the uterus. A malignant (or cancerous) tumor that begins in the ovaries is called ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is most common in women over the age of 50, it can affect women of any age. As women get older, their chance of developing ovarian cancer increases. Women who have ovarian cancer often overlook symptoms because they are mild and not very noticeable.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 20,180 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2006. Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in women.

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. It is estimated that there will be about 15,310 deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States during 2006.

The ovarian cancer incidence rate has decreased by about 0.7% per year since 1985. About 76% of women with ovarian cancer survive 1 year after diagnosis, and 45% survive longer than 5 years after diagnosis. Women younger than age 65 have better 5-year survival rates than older women.

Risk factors for ovarian cancer include

• Age: Most ovarian cancers develop after menopause.
• Obesity: A study from the ACS found a higher rate of death from ovarian cancer in obese women.
• Reproductive history: There seems to be a relationship between the number of menstrual cycles in a woman's lifetime and her risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• Fertility drugs and infertility also increases the risk of ovarian cancer, even without use of fertility drugs. More research to clarify these relationships is now underway.
• Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer.
• Personal history of breast cancer: If you have had breast cancer, you also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• Talcum powder: It has been suggested that talcum powder applied directly to the genital area or on sanitary napkins may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) to the ovaries.

Surgery is usually the first step in treatment for ovarian cancer. Surgery (laparotomy) will help the doctor identify the mass and whether it is malignant or benign. The surgeon will try to remove as much of the tumor as possible – preferably less than 1cm should be left. This is because smaller tumors respond better to chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is usually one drug or a combination of drugs. The main difference between chemotherapy and other cancer treatments is that chemotherapy treats the whole body rather than just one part of it. It is sometimes given before surgery, but more often after surgery. One common chemotherapy regimen uses platinum products such as cisplatin or carboplatin with Taxol (paclitaxel).

Some patients may also be eligible to participate in clinical trials or research studies that look at new ways to treat ovarian cancer.

Eva Longoria Joins with The Callaway Golf Foundation and Entertainment Industry Foundation for The Callaway Golf Foundation Challenge to Drive Breakthroughs in Ovarian Cancer

Award-winning actress Eva Longoria has been named the lead ambassador for a new public service campaign, created in partnership between the Callaway Golf Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, aimed at raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer prevention.

In her role as the campaign ambassador, Longoria will appear in both TV and print public service announcements to encourage women to better understand their risks for the disease and to urge them to get involved in the cause. Ovarian cancer is the second leading gynecologic cancer and, the most deadly, accounting for more than 15,000 deaths annually. Because there is no accurate screening test to detect ovarian cancer, it is typically diagnosed at a late stage when it is more difficult to treat.

“I was shocked to learn that ovarian cancer is the most deadly reproductive cancer with no early detection test available,” said Longoria. “That’s why I’ve teamed up with the Callaway Golf Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to educate women about ovarian cancer. Until there is an early detection test, we are urging all women to get involved in understanding their personal risk for the disease.”