Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are often absent until late in the disease. The most common sign is enlargement of the abdomen, caused by accumulation of fluid.

The risk for developing this cancer increases with age. You're at increased risk if you have a family history of ovarian cancer, no pregnancies, had your first child at an older age, or have had breast cancer. Pregnancy and use of oral contraceptives may decrease your risk. It is hard to detect ovarian cancer. Regular pelvic exams are helpful.

Treatment for ovarian cancer usually begins with surgery. Commonly, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus are removed. Chemotherapy is more effective when as much of the disease as possible is removed. Radiation therapy may be an option.

The 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is over 90 percent if it is caught and treated at an early stage. For those women with more advanced disease, the 5-year rate is less than 30 percent. To learn more about ovarian cancer, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.

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