There’s no known symptoms, no known cause, but doctors do know one thing about ovarian cancer. “There’s a big breast-ovary connection,” says Dr. James Orr, Medical Director of Oncology Services at Lee Memorial Health System.

He believes there’s an even greater connection between the two when advanced ovarian cancer is detected. “Particularly those women who have a family history of ovarian cancer, which is an extremely high risk factor and women who have a history of breast cancer in the family,” adds Dr. Orr.

Like breast cancer, researchers are trying to figure out if ovarian cancer can be passed down genetically. “When we start seeing histories of women who have ovarian or breast cancer prior to age 50, either personally or in their family, we start thinking of a genetic link,” explains Dr. Orr.

There are some warnings that ovarian cancer might be present, but oftentimes women dismiss them as just minor health problems. “If they have persistent symptoms of bloating, urinary tract infections, or discomfort, then they really should look at the intensity of the symptoms, the duration of the symptoms and the frequency of the symptoms.”

More often than not, ovarian cancer isn’t even spotted until its in the advanced stages since the symptoms aren’t exactly clear. Because of this, Dr. Orr stresses that women have a yearly gynecological exam.