In the United States, more women die of ovarian cancer each year than of cervical and endometrial cancers combined. Survival rates have not greatly improved, and screening methods have not been proved to decrease the death rate. Ovarian cancer occurs more often in white females than African American; however, African American women die at a higher rate. Ovarian cancer accounts for about three percent of all cancers among women, and the following factors are thought to increase risk for the disease:
- Age - as women get older, the risk of developing ovarian cancer increases.
- Family history - a woman whose mother or sister has had ovarian cancer has a higher than average risk of developing the disease.
- Hormone replacement therapy/hormone therapy (in postmenopausal women).
- Fertility drug use.
- Other risk factors have been suggested for ovarian cancer; however, the exact relationship remains unclear.
Although many of the risk factors can not be avoided, studies suggest use of oral contraceptives, childbearing and breast-feeding, and undergoing tubal ligation or hysterectomy decrease the risk for ovarian cancer. The most crucial need for controlling ovarian cancer is effective prevention or early detection in high-risk women. However, because of the low incidence rate in the general U.S. population, the positive predictive value of screening is low. The Coalition Ovarian Cancer Taskforce monitors developments in important research and forms recommendations as new evidence emerges.
The Coalition is working toward improved screening and detection for ovarian cancer by:
- Reporting every six months to the Early Detection Interest Group on the status of research and screening recommendations.
- Obtaining information for developing public awareness initiatives.
- Identifying and maintaining an inventory of those organizations and programs that engage in or support ovarian cancer control-related activities.