Stats

Ovarian cancer accounts for approximately three percent of cancers in women. While the 11th most common cancer among women, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women, and is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers. Mortality rates are slightly higher for Caucasian women than for African-American women.*

Ovarian cancer survival rates are much lower than other cancers that affect women.

• The relative five-year survival rate is 44 percent. Survival rates vary depending on the stage of diagnosis.
• Women diagnosed at an early stage have a much higher five-year survival rate than those diagnosed at a later stage.
• Approximately 15 percent of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed early
• Women diagnosed with breast cancer in 1975 experienced a five-year survival rate of 75.3 percent; today, the American Cancer Society estimates the rate to be 90 percent.
• Women diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1975 experienced a five-year survival rate of 69 percent; today, the American Cancer Society estimates the rate to be 69 percent.
• Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1975 experienced a five-year survival rate of 36 percent; today, the American Cancer Society estimates the rate to be 43 percent.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2014, about 21,980 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed and 14,270 women will die of ovarian cancer in the United States.

*http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/OvarianCancer/DetailedGuide/ovarian-cancer-...

For more information: The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries