A woman has 2 ovaries, which are part of the female reproductive system. Each is the size of a walnut and located in the pelvis on either side of the womb (uterus). The ovaries contain eggs and produce the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

The ovary is made up of different cells, each performing its own function. When these cells grow abnormally, a cancer is formed.

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor in one or both ovaries. There are 4 main types of ovarian cancer; the most common type is epithelial ovarian tumor. Ovarian cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Singapore.*

* Singapore Cancer Registry, Interim Report, 2001-2005