Ovarian cancer is not one disease it is a group of conditions that begins when cells in or around the ovaries start growing in an uncontrolled way. The ovaries are two small organs in the pelvis, each roughly the size of a grape. They produce eggs and hormones like oestrogen and progesterone that regulate a woman’s monthly cycle.

When something disrupts the normal growth cycle of these cells, a tumour can form. Not all ovarian tumours are cancerous many are benign. But when they are malignant, they can grow silently for months before causing any obvious discomfort, which is why ovarian cancer is often referred to as a ‘silent’ disease.