Ovarian cancer is less common in women than several other types of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women and ranks fifth in terms of deaths among female cancers. However, ovarian cancer is the deadliest cancer of those affecting a woman’s reproductive system.

For 2010, it is estimated that approximately 21,880 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 13,850 women died as a result of the disease. It has also been calculated that a woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is about 1 in 71. Lifetime odds of dying from ovarian cancer are slightly lower, as it is estimated that one out of every 95 women will die from the disease. These statistics, however, are approximations based on all women, regardless of risk. Certain women are more at risk of developing ovarian cancer than others, such as women who are older than 60 or who are of Caucasian descent.