The global community comes together to observe World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD) on 8th May each year, to raise global awareness about ovarian cancer, a disease that is often diagnosed at a late stage due to its vague symptoms and lack of effective early screening. The day aims to support those affected, promote education about the disease, and advocate for improved diagnosis, treatment, and funding for research.

The Importance of WOCD

Ovarian cancer is often called the "silent killer" because its symptoms (such as bloating, abdominal pain, or urinary issues) are subtle and easily mistaken for less serious conditions. As a result, about 70% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to lower survival rates. When caught early, ovarian cancer has a significantly higher survival rate. Awareness events such as the yearly WOCD campaign can help women recognise warning signs sooner.

Unlike other cancers such as cervical or breast cancer, ovarian cancer currently has no reliable screening method, which makes being aware of its symptoms all the more vital. The day also fosters community support for patients and survivors, while encouraging governments and organisations to prioritise funding for research and better care.

World Ovarian Cancer Day unites people across countries to share stories, wear the colour teal (symbolising ovarian cancer awareness), and amplify the message that more must be done. Check out the main campaign site for more information.

Highlights from Journal of Ovarian Research

Journal of Ovarian Research is an open access, peer reviewed journal that aims to provide a forum for high-quality basic and clinical research on ovarian function, abnormalities, and cancer. The journal focuses on research that provides new insights into ovarian functions as well as prevention and treatment of diseases afflicting the organ. We aim to provide a dedicated platform for researchers and clinicians to exchange knowledge, accelerate progress in early detection and personalised therapies, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer.

Articles

The diagnostic performance of CA-125 for the detection of ovarian cancer in women from different ethnic groups: a cohort study of English primary care data

The first study of its kind, this article reveals that the diagnostic performance of CA-125 differed for women from different ethnicities. The findings suggest that while ethnicity-specific thresholds could improve specificity and positive predictive values (PPVs), they may also reduce sensitivity, particularly for Asian and Black women.

A comprehensive comparison of PARP inhibitors as maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

PARP inhibitors (PARPis) have shown promising potential in treating ovarian cancer, particularly in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (PSROC). This systematic review and network meta-analysis assessed four PARPis, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their effectiveness and safety, and found whilst all four significantly increased progression-free survival (PFS), they also increased the incidence of adverse effects.

Ovarian cancer and the heart: pathophysiology, chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, and new therapeutic strategies

Whilst treatment strategies for ovarian cancer have advanced, certain drugs like doxorubicin (DOX) pose significant cardiotoxic risks. This review discusses alternative strategies and suggests phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) show promise in reducing cardiotoxicity and enhancing cancer cell apoptosis, although their direct impact on ovarian cancer requires further investigation.

Image credit: Nair et al, 2025. J Ovarian Res 18, 72

Collections

Extracellular vesicles 

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of cell-derived vesicles mediating the intercellular crosstalk. In this collection, we highlight the role of EVs in ovarian biology and pathobiology, targeting of their biogenesis and functions for therapeutic gain, and their potential utility in biomarker development and as drug delivery systems.

Nanotechnological Approaches for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

Targeted therapies utilising nanotechnology have begun to receive recognition as cutting-edge and extremely promising therapeutic approaches. These treatments have the potential to be innovative and effective ways to enhance patients' quality of life, and they could offer hope to medical professionals searching for fresh treatment targets. This collection discusses the latest progress on novel and targeted nano-therapy and its underlying mechanism, including the diagnosis and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Microbiome in Reproductive Health, Dysfunction, and Cancer

In recent years, the microbiome, particularly within the gut, has emerged as an endocrine organ capable of impacting human health and disease. This collection aims to provide an updated view of the link between microbiome, reproductive health, and ovarian disorders, including ovarian cancer.

Image credit: Svetlana Madjunkova (Created with BioRender.com).

Conclusion 

To advocate, fundraise, organise an event, and access social media resources, visit the official website for World Ovarian Cancer Day.

Discover previous campaigns of curated articles, blogs and collections from Journal of Ovarian Research here.