According to the Global Cancer Observatory, ovarian cancer was the third most common cancer among women in India in 2022, with 47,333 new cases. Given its high prevalence, it is important to be aware of its symptoms, and subsequent diagnosis and treatment process.

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, which produce eggs and hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Explaining how the disease is caused, Dr Swati Gaikwad, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Pune, says, “The disease occurs when cells in the ovaries grow abnormally. While the exact cause of ovarian cancer remains unknown, several factors can contribute to its development. Genetics, age, family history of ovarian cancer, obesity, smoking and hormones are among these factors.”