Suraksha Diagnostic Limited (Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics), one of the leading diagnostics chains in Eastern India, conducted an insightful online awareness session on ovarian cancer, as part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month observed this September. The session was led by Dr Asima Mukhopadhyay, a globally recognised Gynaecological Oncologist with decades of experience in clinical care, research, and education in the field of women’s cancer. During the online session, Dr Asima Mukhopadhyay shared vital insights into how early diagnosis drastically improves survival outcomes, with stage I diagnosis offering up to a 90 per cent cure rate, and stage II a 70 per cent 5-year survival rate. In contrast, survival drops to 20 per cent or less for advanced-stage cases. In this context, the importance of early detection was highlighted. The session also highlighted the silent nature of the disease, the common symptoms often ignored, and the value of early medical intervention.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancers that has the highest mortality rate. It ranks as the third most common cancer among women in India. According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the age-adjusted incidence rate stands at approximately 6.8 cases per 100,000 women. Ovarian cancer is also emerging as a global pandemic, with a projected 50 per cent rise in global incidence and mortality, with the majority of the burden falling on low and lower-middle-income settings. The advanced stage at which most women are diagnosed leads to poor survival rates and limited treatment options. As a result, international health bodies and international cancer commissions have identified key priority areas that need urgent attention to reduce the burden and improve outcomes worldwide.

These include faster and wider access to early diagnostics such as ultrasound and CA-125 tests, as well as training of general practitioners and community health workers to recognise early symptoms and ensure timely referrals. Another critical area is improving access to genetic testing and counselling as many cancers have a genetic predisposition and opportunities for prevention. Additionally, access to high-quality cytoreductive surgery and training is crucial for improving survival in advanced stages. Making targeted therapies such as PARP inhibitors available and affordable is also essential, as these have shown promising results in improving outcomes for specific patient groups. Lastly, ensuring that women have access to clinical trials and survivorship programs is important not only for advancing research but also for supporting long-term health and quality of life after treatment.

During the session, Dr Ashima Mukhopadhay highlighted that while people know very commonly about breast cancer, ovarian cancer is not something people are very aware of. However, it is becoming a global pandemic now with the WHO projection of 50 per cent rise in incidence and mortality by 2024. In India, around 40,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, of which 70 per cent of women die from it. The symptoms of Ovarian cancer, being very non-descript, are easily ignored, with most women getting diagnosed at later stages. She informed that, compared to the diagnostic rate, ovarian cancer has a higher mortality rate. This, along with the fact that it is the costliest cancer to treat, makes it early diagnosis crucial. Dr Mukhopadhay emphasised that the diagnosis should be done in a lab that has accreditation, which is being monitored.  Articulating the steps involved in diagnosis, she mentioned an ultrasound, which gives an idea about the further tests that need to be done. Next are conformity tests, like a CT Scan, that guide one to a biopsy, which confirms the type of ovarian cancer you have. After that, genomics decides how to treat it.