About ovarian cancer

What are the ovaries?

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive organs. They are two small oval-shaped organs on each side of your womb in the lower abdomen (pelvis). Each month, in a woman who is fertile, an egg is made in one of the ovaries. The egg leaves the ovary and passes down a tube called the fallopian tube to the womb.

If the egg is not fertilised by the sperm, it leaves the womb with the lining of the womb. This happens as part of a monthly cycle known as a period (menstruation). The ovaries also make the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

What is ovarian cancer?

Cancer of the ovary is when the normal cells in the ovary change and grow to form a malignant tumour or cancer. It can also be called ovarian cancer. Because the ovaries are deep in the pelvis, the tumour as it gets bigger may affect nearby organs.
This can include the bladder or the bowel. When this happens, the tumour may affect how theses organs normally work. This in turn can lead to symptoms.

How common is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Each year over 300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Ireland.

Call our National Cancer Helpline

Freephone 1800 200 700 to talk to a specialist cancer nurse
It's open Monday-Thursday from 9am to 7pm and Friday from 9am to 5pm