Ovarian Cancer: The Silent Disease Women Cannot Ignore

We all know how women juggle work, home, and care for loved ones. Many women brush aside health issues like bloating, irregular periods, or constant tiredness. These are often seen as part of daily life or stress. But sometimes, these small signs may point to something more serious, ovarian cancer. Often called the “silent killer,” it grows quietly, without strong warnings, and is usually detected late. By the time many women reach the doctor, the disease has already spread.

This is why awareness matters. Families, mothers, sisters, daughters, and caregivers, must know the signs and act quickly if something feels unusual.

Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. But unlike breast cancer, which has self-check methods, or cervical cancer, which has a screening test, ovarian cancer has no simple test for women at average risk.

• Ongoing bloating

• Discomfort or pain in the lower stomach

• Trouble with digestion

• Tiredness that doesn’t go away

Since these signs look like normal stomach or health problems, many women ignore them. This is why ovarian cancer often gets diagnosed only in the later stages.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Programme, most ovarian cancer cases in India are found only after the disease has spread beyond the ovaries. Family history plays a big role too. If someone in the family has had ovarian or breast cancer, the risk is higher. Yet, many women in smaller cities and rural areas are unaware of this risk.

Catching ovarian cancer early makes a big difference. In the first stages, it responds better to treatment and survival chances improve. But when diagnosis is delayed, the cancer spreads inside the abdomen. This makes treatment tougher, often requiring big surgeries and long chemotherapy sessions.

For women in rural and semi-urban places, the delay is sometimes even worse. Hospitals with cancer specialists may be far away. Travel costs, money worries, and the habit of waiting until symptoms get very serious all add to the problem. By then, treatment becomes harder, and families go through a lot of stress and helplessness.

There is hope. Indian cancer care has advanced in recent years. Surgery is the main treatment, doctors remove as much of the cancer as possible. This is usually followed by chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells.

For women with a family history of cancer or with certain genetic changes, newer medicines like targeted therapies (for example, PARP inhibitors) are giving good results. These treatments attack only the cancer cells and cause fewer side effects than traditional methods.

Many hospitals now also use minimally invasive surgeries. This means smaller cuts, less pain, and faster recovery. Since most women also manage family responsibilities, quick recovery becomes very important.

Supportive care is another key part. Nutritional advice, counselling, and rehabilitation services help women stay strong and positive during treatment. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also stresses the importance of regular gynaecological check-ups, which can pick up early warning signs before they become dangerous.

Ovarian cancer cannot always be prevented. But women can reduce their risk and catch problems earlier through simple steps:

• Eat fresh, home-cooked meals with more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

• Stay active — even daily walking or light exercise helps.

• Avoid unnecessary use of hormonal medicines unless a doctor advises.

• If there is a family history of cancer, ask about genetic counselling and regular specialist check-ups.

• Pay attention to your body. If bloating, pain, or tiredness continue for weeks, don’t ignore it. See a doctor.

Above all, encourage open conversations at home. Mothers, daughters, and sisters should look out for each other.

Ovarian cancer is silent, but it is not unbeatable. With growing awareness, better treatments, and more women paying attention to their health, survival rates are improving.

The message for families is simple: don’t ignore small symptoms that don’t go away. Take medical advice early. Support loved ones in going for check-ups. A timely decision can not only save a life but also keep families whole.