Ovarian Cancer Risk Escalates With Advancing Age, Expert Warns
Age stands as the predominant risk factor for ovarian cancer, with the likelihood of developing this disease increasing significantly as women grow older. With Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month observed annually in March, medical professionals emphasize the critical importance of recognizing symptoms and understanding how risk evolves over time.
Cellular Mutations and the Aging Process
Professor Christina Fotopoulou, consultant gynaecologist at King Edward VII's Hospital, explains that ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum grow uncontrollably, forming tumours. "The origins of any cancer involve mutations during cell division," says Fotopoulou. "When cells lose their controlled replication, they multiply without restraint. The longer you live, the higher the risk of accumulating such mutations in the body."
She vividly describes cancer cells as "little zombies that multiply without any control." The process of ovulation itself contributes to this risk, as each egg release creates a minor wound on the ovary's surface that requires repair. "These repair mechanisms can accumulate mistakes over time," Fotopoulou notes, explaining why contraceptives that inhibit ovulation serve as protective factors against ovarian cancer.
Age Peaks and Diagnostic Challenges
According to Cancer Research UK, ovarian cancer risk increases steeply from around age 45, peaking between 75 and 79 years. "Over half of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in patients aged over 65," Fotopoulou confirms. While the disease predominantly affects older women, she cautions that younger women are not immune. "Some subtypes, like low-grade serous ovarian cancer, affect younger women more frequently, though these cases are rarer. I recently operated on a 15-year-old with ovarian cancer, so nothing can be excluded."
Diagnosis remains challenging because no screening tests currently exist for ovarian cancer. "It's usually diagnosed when women visit their GP or gynaecologist with persistent symptoms," says Fotopoulou. These may include abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, or changes in bowel habits. Ultrasound and scans then help identify problems in the ovaries or abdominal area.
Symptoms and When to Seek Help
The Eve Appeal lists several key symptoms of ovarian cancer:
- Unexpected increase in abdominal size
- Persistent bloating that doesn't come and go
- Feeling full quickly or experiencing loss of appetite
- Pelvic and abdominal pain
- Increased urinary frequency
- Changes in bowel habits
However, Fotopoulou highlights the diagnostic dilemma: "The symptomatology is very non-specific, often leading to delayed diagnosis. Patients may dismiss symptoms as perimenopausal or irritable bowel syndrome, while GPs might mistake them for IBS or food intolerances."
She advises women to seek professional help when experiencing persistent new symptoms that don't resolve within weeks or months. "In most cases, it won't be ovarian cancer—it might be IBS or menopausal symptoms—but it's always worth getting checked. If you still feel strongly that something's wrong after an initial consultation, revisit your doctor."
Treatment Approaches and Statistics
Approximately 7,600 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually in the UK. Fotopoulou contrasts this with breast cancer: "Breast cancer affects one in eight women, while ovarian cancer affects about one in 50." Unfortunately, 75% of ovarian cancer patients receive diagnoses at later stages (3 or 4), when the disease has spread beyond the pelvis.
Treatment typically combines surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted medicines. "For very early ovarian cancer contained within the ovary, surgery alone may suffice," Fotopoulou explains. She stresses that abdominal discomfort and bowel changes shouldn't be brushed off as normal menopausal symptoms, urging women to listen to their bodies and not ignore persistent or unusual signs.
