Today, a woman or girl diagnosed with ovarian cancer faces a 49% chance of surviving five years. The average five-year survival rate for all cancers nationwide is over 70%. It is one of the most lethal cancers affecting women.
With one Australian dying every eight hours from the disease, there is a desperate need for research to find better treatments and develop an early detection test.
It is estimated that more than 1,200 people were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2023. The average age at diagnosis is 64 years old.
There are often no obvious signs of ovarian cancer; however, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- abdominal bloating
- difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- frequent or urgent urination
- back, abdominal or pelvic pain
- constipation or diarrhoea
- menstrual irregularities
- tiredness
- indigestion
- pain during intercourse
- unexplained weight loss or weight gain.
These symptoms often occur with other conditions, so if you have concerns, and would like to book an appointment with your GP, click here or phone 8370 9777.
For more information on ovarian cancer research, click here.