What you need to know about ovarian cancer

Aug 11, 2026

Key takeaways:

Ovarian cancer is one of five gynecologic cancers. Only about 20% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage, but when it is found early, the five-year survival rate is 94%.
Noticeable symptoms of ovarian cancer usually do not appear until the cancer is already advanced, and although there are ways to screen in high-risk people, these tests are not recommended for average-risk women.
Genetic mutations such as the BRCA genes or inherited Lynch syndrome can increase your risk of ovarian cancer. Up to 25% of all ovarian cancers are linked to genetic conditions.

We at the Prevent Cancer Foundation are committed to advancing cancer prevention and the use of proven routine screening methods and tools. We also recognize that for most cancer types, there are no recommended routine screenings currently available.

While we work to close this gap, we’re also giving you the facts on cancers without recommended routine screening options. Our goal is to create as much awareness as possible about risk factors, symptoms and innovations so you can advocate for your health.

To learn about the research the Prevent Cancer Foundation is funding to close the screening gap, bấm vào đây.

Ovarian cancer is one of five gynecologic cancers and occurs when abnormal cells develop in the ovaries. Some types of ovarian cancer can start at the end of one of the fallopian tubes or the peritoneum and ultimately spread to the ovary.

While ovarian cancer is less common than other types of cancer, when it does occur, it is often found at more advanced stages. And, unlike ung thư cổ tử cung, there are currently no United States guideline-recommended routine screenings for those at average risk of ovarian cancer.

When ovarian cancer is found early, about 94% of patients live longer than five years after diagnosis. But only about 20% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. This is why continued progress and research is needed to increase the rates of better outcomes.

But recent trends show some progress: The rate at which women are being diagnosed is decreasing and far fewer women are dying from ovarian cancer. We can keep these trends heading in the right direction by understanding more about ovarian cancer and the ways you can protect yourself.

Who is at risk of developing ovarian cancer?

Anyone with an ovary or ovaries is at risk of developing ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is rare in women younger than 40, but your risk increases with age since most ovarian cancers develop after menopause. About half of all ovarian cancers are found in women age 63 or older.

There are a few other factors that can increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer, including:

Starting your menstrual cycle before 12 years old
Starting menopause after 52 years old
No personal history of giving birth
Endometriosis (abnormal growth of tissue that lines the inside of the uterus)
Radiation exposure to the pelvis

For people of average risk, why is there no routine screening for ovarian cancer?

There are ways to screen for ovarian cancer in high-risk individuals in some scenarios, but since these tests are not perfect, they are not recommended for all women. Studies show that using these tests to screen average-risk women leads to more testing and surgeries but doesn’t lower deaths from the disease.

Ovarian cancer is difficult to find early because it often does not cause noticeable symptoms until the cancer is already advanced. Even regular pelvic exams performed by a gynecologist cannot usually detect small tumors in the ovaries. There is also no clinically proven blood test or biomarker (measurable clue in the body that indicates a normal or abnormal process, condition or disease) for ovarian cancer.

Can people at high risk of ovarian cancer get screened?

While research has been conducted to develop a screening test for ovarian cancer, there hasn’t been much success so far. The two tests used in some cases to screen for people at high risk for ovarian cancer are a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) và CA-125 blood test.

A TVUS uses sound waves to look at the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries by inserting an ultrasound wand into the vagina. It can help find a mass (tumor) in the ovary, but it can’t determine whether it’s cancerous or benign (not cancerous).
The CA-125 blood test measures a protein in the blood that’s often elevated in people with ovarian cancer. It can help track how well treatment is working if you already have ovarian cancer, but it’s not a reliable screening test. Because the protein is only elevated in about 50% of cases in its early stages and is often falsely elevated in women with endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the blood test is limited in its use as an early detection tool.

Are there any signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer?

There are a few common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer including:

Bloating
Pelvic pain
Back pain
Constipation
Menstrual irregularities
Pain during sex
Weigh loss
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Frequent or urgent urination.

However, these symptoms are shared by other less serious conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), menstruation, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and more.

If you do notice any changes, talk with a gynecologist or other health care provider.

What is the link between ovarian cancer and my genetic/family history?

Up to 25% of all ovarian cancers are linked to genetic conditions, most commonly mutations in the BRCA (Breast Cancer MỘTssociated) genes or inherited Lynch syndrome. If you have an inherited or acquired genetic mutation, you could be at increased risk.

ĐỌC CŨNG | I have Lynch syndrome. Here’s how it led to my cancer diagnosis.

The BRCA gene mutations are best known for increasing the risk of breast cancer, but they also increase the risk of ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers. Lynch syndrome is another inherited condition that can increase the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, bao gồm ung thư đại trực tràng.

Xét nghiệm di truyền can help determine whether you carry one of these mutations or syndromes, and understanding your lịch sử sức khỏe gia đình is equally important in assessing your risk.

If you do have a genetic mutation or a strong family history (more than one close relative, such as a parent, child or sibling diagnosed) of ovarian, breast or prostate cancers, talk with your health care provider about a plan to monitor for symptoms and, in some cases, increase your frequency of appointments, pelvic exams or other routine screenings.

Are there ways to prevent ovarian cancer or reduce my risk?

Theo Viện ung thư quốc gia, women who use an oral contraceptive* have a 30% to 50% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who have never used oral contraceptives. This could potentially be because oral contraceptives reduce the amount of ovulations over a lifetime, reducing hormone exposure.

The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ORCA) also recommends discussing the potential for an opportunistic salpingectomy with your health care provider. This procedure is the removal of a person’s fallopian tubes during an already planned pelvic surgery for other non-cancerous conditions (including hysterectomy, tubal ligations, cysts, endometriosis).

To reduce your ovarian cancer and your overall cancer risk, as well as promote a healthy lifestyle, you should focus on:

Eating a healthy diet
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Avoiding smoking

The important thing to remember is to pay attention to your body, and if you notice any changes, differences or things that are out of the ordinary, talk with your health care provider. Advocating for your health can help you achieve better outcomes.

*Using oral contraceptives may impact your risk for different types of cancer in different ways. Talk to your health care provider to make the decision that’s right for you.