Lack of awareness delays diagnosis of ovarian cancer

A global study of women with ovarian cancer has found that two-third of women had never heard of the disease, or did not know anything about it before their diagnosis. Although some of them had experienced symptoms prior to diagnosis, fewer than half of those women visited a doctor within a month of noticing symptoms.

Around the world approximately 2,39,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. Studies have shown that around 15 percent of women die within two months of their diagnosis, with age, emergency presentation and co-morbidities placing them at increased risk. Incidence is rising and is expected to reach 3,71,000 women a year by 2035 - a 55 percent increase.

The survey of over 1,500 women in 44 countries reveals:

-Low levels of awareness of ovarian cancer as a global problem resulting in delays in women seeking medical attention

-Lack of awareness among doctors may also be a significant factor when it comes to delays in diagnosis

-Variations in access to genetic testing pre and post diagnosis where there is a family history of ovarian cancer

-Variations in access to specialist treatment - despite this being a vital step that can improve outcomes

-Variations between countries in terms of what is done well and what is most challenging

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