Awareness

Reducing your risks
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We don’t know the causes of most ovarian cancer. Research into the causes of ovarian cancer is continuing in Australia and overseas. We do know that there are some factors that may increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer and that there are some protective factors that may reduce a woman's risk. Learn more

Every woman needs to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

In Australia, three women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day. It could be you, your friend, your partner, your sister, your mum, your gran or your daughter.

There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer and the Pap test does not detect the disease.

More than 1300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia each year and 800 women will die from the disease.

Approximately 75% of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the cancer has spread and is difficult to treat successfully.

At the moment, only 43% of women with ovarian cancer will be alive five years later.

But if ovarian cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, women have an 80% chance of being alive and well after five years.

More women need to be diagnosed at an early stage when ovarian cancer is very treatable. And that is why everyone needs to know more about ovarian cancer and its symptoms.

Ovarian Cancer Australia is Australia's leading organisation for ovarian cancer awareness and support. We are committed to ensuring that every Australian knows the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Do you?

Learn the symptoms.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month - February

Ovarian Cancer awareness month

Each year in February Ovarian Cancer Australia runs a national Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month campaign to highlight the symptoms of ovarian cancer and to raise funds for our programs. To view what's happening click here

Personal Stories

Photo Christine
Christine

My name is Christine and I’m 22, living in Perth, Western Australia. I also have been diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer. In January 2012,  I went to the doctor after two months of...

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dorinda
Dorinda

Surviving and being a mum I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2005. I was 35 years old, nursing full time and a young mum with two daughters aged seven and five. I found a lump in my...

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Elizabeth photo
Elizabeth

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in June 2009 in my early 40s after my GP initially thought I had early menopause. I insisted it was something more and an ultrasound revealed a massive cyst on...

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Personal Story

Janet
Janet

My name is Janet and I live in Melbourne.  I still don't know why I went to the doctor in...

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