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Silent Killer of Women

Silent Killer of Women

Gleneagles Hospital Penang

16/05/2026

silent_killer_women

OVARIAN cancer continues to be one of the most serious health threats that women face.

Each year, nearly a quarter of a million women are diagnosed and the disease claims about 140,000 lives globally.

In Malaysia, it is the fifth-most common cancer among women, with close to 1,000 new cases reported annually — a number that underscores the need for greater awareness, early detection and access to advanced care.

While any woman can develop ovarian cancer, genetics play a major role.

Around five to 10 per cent of cases occur in women who carry inherited changes in their BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which also increase the risk of breast cancer, explains Gleneagles Hospital Penang consultant gynaecologist and gynaecological oncologist Dr Suresh Kumarasamy.

Ovarian cancer is often called the "silent killer", he adds, because its symptoms are subtle and easily overlooked.

Common complaints like bloating, loss of appetite, nausea or frequent urination are often dismissed as digestive or urinary issues.

As a result, nearly 70 per cent of women are diagnosed only when the disease has reached stage three or four. By that time, it has usually spread beyond the ovaries.

"Unfortunately, no effective screening exists for early detection. The commonly used CA125 blood test can sometimes be misleading, as high levels may occur even in non-cancerous conditions, leading to unnecessary anxiety and invasive investigations," says Dr Suresh.

To confirm a diagnosis, doctors depend on the patient's medical history, physical examination, blood tests and imaging scans, such as ultrasound and computed tomography.

Once ovarian cancer is detected, surgery is the cornerstone of treatment.

If cancer is discovered early and confined to one ovary, fertility-sparing surgery, which preserves the uterus and the other ovary, may be possible, allowing young patients the chance of future pregnancy.

Post-surgery, most women will require chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

"Despite major medical advances, early detection remains the most important factor in improving ovarian cancer outcomes," says Dr Suresh.

Women are encouraged to be aware of persistent abdominal symptoms, especially bloating, changes in appetite, urinary frequency and unexplained weight loss.

A pelvic examination may also help detect an ovarian tumour.

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