{"id":157,"date":"2026-01-05T13:10:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T13:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drdhruvmehta.com\/blog\/?p=157"},"modified":"2026-02-05T13:16:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T13:16:22","slug":"how-an-ovarian-cancer-specialist-can-help-you-understand-the-myths-and-facts-about-the-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drdhruvmehta.com\/blog\/how-an-ovarian-cancer-specialist-can-help-you-understand-the-myths-and-facts-about-the-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"How an ovarian cancer specialist can help you understand the myths and facts about the disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecological cancer in India, affecting approximately 50000 females yearly (GLOBOCAN 2022). It is also known as \u201csilent killer\u201d as most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages due to very vague symptoms in early stages, socio \u2013 economic barriers leading to delayed detection, poor access to ovarian cancer specialists, high costs of advanced therapies for later stages and absence of nationalized screening guidelines. India requires ovarian cancer specialists<\/strong><\/a> in every rural, semi \u2013 urban and urban health care centers to reduce the prevalent high mortality rates (approximately 30000 deaths from ovarian cancer are reported annually). With the help of latest research, ovarian cancer specialists investigate one\u2019s family history of cancer, do personalized risk assessment to estimate lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, advise need for screening tests required at appropriate age, differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian masses, help understand various myths and facts surrounding the disease and when diagnosed with ovarian cancer, prescribe stage \u2013 appropriate management plan for the best possible outcomes. At South Gujarat Hematology Oncology Center, every patient diagnosed with ovarian cancer is given world class, evidence-based treatment under the care of Dr. Dhruv Mehta who is a senior recognized ovarian cancer specialist in Surat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MYTHS AND FACTS:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ovarian cancer is mystifying disease and there is lot of misinformation being peddled over social media regarding it. Let\u2019s bust some myths surrounding it with facts based on rigorous science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. MYTH – Ovarian cancer affects only older women<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    FACT – The median age at which diagnosis of ovarian cancer is made is around 63 years. The incidence of ovarian cancer increases with age. In patients younger than 20 years of age, germ cell tumors predominate; borderline tumors typically occur in patients in their 30s and 40s; and after age 50 years, Epithelial Ovarian Cancer predominates. But it is a myth that ovarian cancer affects only older women \u2013 patients with hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome present at younger age less than 50 years. Ovarian cancer specialist evaluates age \u2013 related risk factors through genetic counselling, germline testing (HBOC gene panel<\/em>) and advises screening tests appropriate for age<\/p>\n\n\n\n