World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day is observed on May 8, and in 2026 it is being marked under the slogan “No Woman Left Behind” (#NoWomanLeftBehind).

Around 200 new ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Armenia. The disease is considered the third most common gynecological cancer and the leading cause of death among tumors of the female reproductive system, according to the Heratsi Analytical Center.

The main goals of the awareness day are to increase public understanding of ovarian cancer symptoms, emphasize the role of early diagnosis in improving survival rates, and unite survivors, their families and the medical community.

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women worldwide. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, more than 324,000 new cases and 206,000 deaths were recorded in 2022. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing the disease is estimated at about 1 in 91. By 2050, annual cases are projected to exceed 500,000, while deaths could surpass 350,000. The highest numbers have been recorded in China, India and the U.S.

Ovarian cancer is often called a “silent killer” because in its early stages it may progress without obvious symptoms.

Doctors urge women to pay close attention to the following symptoms if they are new and persistent:

• Abdominal bloating and enlargement
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
• Frequent or urgent urination

The type of cell in which the cancer begins determines the type of ovarian cancer and helps doctors choose the most appropriate treatment.

Types of ovarian cancer include:

• Epithelial ovarian cancer — the most common type, including subtypes such as serous carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma.
• Stromal tumors — rare tumors that are usually diagnosed earlier than other ovarian cancers.
• Germ cell tumors — rare ovarian cancers that tend to occur at a younger age.

Factors that may increase the risk of ovarian cancer include:

• Older age — risk increases with age and is most often diagnosed in older women.
• Inherited gene mutations — a small percentage of cases are linked to inherited mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
• Family history of ovarian cancer — risk is higher if close relatives have been diagnosed.
• Overweight or obesity — excess weight increases risk.
• Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy — may increase ovarian cancer risk.
• Endometriosis — can also raise the likelihood of developing the disease.

Doctors stress the importance of regular gynecological examinations, especially for women with hereditary predisposition.

In Armenia, ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecological cancer and the leading cause of death among reproductive system tumors. About 65 percent of cases are diagnosed at advanced stage III or IV, significantly complicating treatment. The average age of patients is 55.

According to the statistical yearbook “Malignant Neoplasms,” Armenia recorded 218 newly diagnosed ovarian cancer cases in 2024. Of those, 66 cases, or 30 percent, were among women aged 45 to 59, while the majority — 127 cases, or 58 percent — were recorded among women aged 60 and older.

By the end of 2024, the total number of patients diagnosed with ovarian malignant neoplasms in Armenia stood at 1,726.