SUBANG JAYA - Lack of awareness and the tendency to dismiss early symptoms as minor ailments are among the key reasons why a staggering 75 per cent of ovarian cancer cases in Malaysia are only detected at advanced stages.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) consultant gynae-oncologist Dr Gibran Geh Hashim said many women fail to recognise early warning signs, often mistaking them for common conditions such as gastric discomfort, leading to dangerous delays in diagnosis.
"Just to give you an idea, about 75 per cent of ovarian cancer patients only discover they have cancer at stage three or stage four," he said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
He explained that while treatment is still possible at later stages, outcomes are significantly better when the disease is detected early.
"In cancer, the best is to treat as early as possible. The earlier you catch it, the better your chances of treatment going well and the higher likelihood that the cancer won’t come back," he said.
Despite this, Dr Gibran noted a mixed trend in clinical practice.
He said while some patients are diagnosed incidentally during routine medical check-ups, many others still present themselves only when the disease has progressed.
"Several patients I’ve seen were quite lucky where they went for a medical check-up, doctors found a cyst and after further tests like Computed Tomography (CT) scans and surgery, it turned out to be cancer. You don’t expect it.
"But at the same time, the majority of cases still come in late. Not too late to treat, but late," he said.
No age is too early to be aware
Contrary to the common perception that ovarian cancer primarily affects older women, Dr Gibran said the disease can occur at any age, even among teenagers.
He said screening awareness should start at any age.
"I’ve seen teenagers, women in their 20s and 30s with ovarian cancer," he said.
While acknowledging that the disease is generally more common in older age groups, he urged women not to ignore unusual symptoms regardless of their age.
"The take-home message is simple, if you feel something is not normal, if a symptom is bothering you, get it checked," he added.
Silence and stigma remain barriers
Beyond medical factors, Dr Gibran highlighted cultural and societal barriers that continue to prevent women from seeking timely medical attention.
He said discussions around women’s health remain somewhat taboo in many Asian communities, where feelings of embarrassment or shyness often discourage open conversations.
He said society needs to engage in more frequent dialogue regarding these matters.
He noted that people tend to be more guarded when discussing women’s health, adding that a lack of open conversation often creates a significant barrier.
Dr Gibran added that many women only begin to take health screenings seriously after the age of 30, at which point certain conditions may have already progressed.
"There’s also this mindset, when you’re young, you don’t think about these things. When I was 20, I never thought I would get cancer. You feel like you’re going to live forever.
"That’s just human nature, but it’s something we need to change," he said.
He said patients diagnosed at stage three or four often react with shock, having never considered the possibility of cancer.
This, he said, reinforces the need for greater public education and proactive health-seeking behaviour among women of all ages.
"Ovarian cancer is not just an older person’s disease. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age or race. Awareness and early action can make all the difference," he added.