Common myths about ovarian cancer
The smear test will detect ovarian cancer
Research in 2010 showed that more than half of women think a cervical smear test will detect ovarian cancer1. A cervical smear is designed to detect pre cancerous changes to the cervix, and it does not detect ovarian cancer. Currently there is no national screening programme for ovarian cancer, which makes symptom awareness even more important.
Sexual activity affects chance of developing ovarian cancer
Some women mistakenly believe that the number of sexual partners they may have had, or the age at which they became sexually active, has some bearing on their chances of developing ovarian cancer. This is incorrect. The spread of the HPV virus, which can lead to cervical cancer, is associated with sexual activity, but is not connected in any way to ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is a ‘silent killer’
Many women and doctors believe ovarian cancer to be a ‘silent killer’ with symptoms only presenting in late stage disease. However there is now clear evidence that most women who are diagnosed with early stage disease do experience symptoms.
Because women often delay seeking advice about their symptoms, and their GPs often do not immediately think ovarian cancer may be a possibility, many women experience considerable delays in getting their diagnosis, and are often diagnosed with late stage disease.
References
1. What Women Know - Report on awareness levels of cervical cancer amongst women in England (p 18)