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Quick Facts

  • Every year, around 1300 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer
  • Approximately 19 out of 20 women who develop ovarian cancer do not have a family history of the disease
 

Cancer - Ovarian

 
Cancer - Ovarian

The currently poor prognosis for women with ovarian cancer is mainly due to an inability to detect it at an early, curable stage. Indeed, over 75% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Ovarian cancers arise from cells of the ovaries, which are part of the female reproductive system, and are located in the abdominal cavity. There are four main types of ovarian cancer each classified by the type of ovarian cells affected:

1. Epithelial ovarian cancers are derived from cells covering the surface of the ovary and comprise over 90% of ovarian cancers. Unfortunately, they also tend to be the most aggressive. Epithelial ovarian cancers are further subdivided based on their appearance under the microscope, the four main types being serous, endometrioid, clear cell and mucinous ovarian cancers. Epithelial ovarian cancers are most common in women who are over 50 years of age, and who are post-menopausal.

2. Borderline cancers are a less aggressive and less common type of epithelial ovarian cancer. They generally have a very good prognosis.

3. Germ cell ovarian cancers arise from the eggs within the ovary. This type of cancer is uncommon, and tends to occur in women under 30 years of age. It generally responds well to treatment.

4. Sex-cord stromal ovarian cancers originate from the tissue that releases female hormones. These are uncommon and can occur at any age.


 
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Every year, approximately 850 Australian women die from the disease.
 

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News

 

Nuns on the Run from Dubbo to Darlinghurst for Cancer

MEDIA RELEASE: 19 Apr 2009
Led by two Sisters of Charity, The Nuns’ Run will cover the 400 km distance from Dubbo to Darlinghurst in an effort to raise cancer awareness and crucial funds for the establishment of a new $100 million Cancer Centre within the St Vincent’s Research Precinct, Sydney. Embarking on their journey on 24 May, Sisters Helen Clarke and Leone Wittmack are hoping to arrive in Sydney on 5 June.
 
 

Garvan and St Vincent’s to Build $100 million Australian Cancer Centre

MEDIA RELEASE: 22 Oct 2008
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney will today announce plans to jointly establish a new $100 million Cancer Centre within the St Vincent’s Research Precinct. The Garvan St Vincent’s Campus Cancer Centre (GSVCCC) will integrate internationally acclaimed cancer research with best practice cancer services, enabling research findings to move quickly into patient care.
 
 

Related Research Groups

 

Epigenetics

Ovarian Cancer

Further Information

 

Cancer Council

GO Fund - Fundraises and helps increase awareness of gynaecological cancers

Ovarian Cancer Program - Government initiative to fund and raises awareness of ovarian cancer. Part of National Breast Cancer Centre


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