Ovarian Cancer in the U.S. in 2025
Ovarian cancer continues to be a significant health challenge for women across the United States, representing one of the most serious gynecological malignancies. While it accounts for a relatively small percentage of all new cancer cases, its impact on women’s health remains substantial due to its often late-stage diagnosis and aggressive nature. The disease primarily affects women in their later years, with the highest incidence rates occurring among those aged 55-64 years.
The landscape of ovarian cancer in America has shown some encouraging trends in recent years, with both incidence and mortality rates demonstrating gradual declines. However, the disease still poses a considerable threat to women’s health nationwide. Understanding the current statistics and trends is crucial for healthcare providers, patients, and their families to make informed decisions about prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies. The latest data from federal agencies provides valuable insights into the current state of ovarian cancer in the United States.
Ovarian Cancer Facts in the U.S. 2025
Fact Category | Statistic | Source |
---|---|---|
Estimated New Cases 2025 | 20,890 cases | SEER/National Cancer Institute |
Estimated Deaths 2025 | 12,730 deaths | SEER/National Cancer Institute |
Lifetime Risk | 1.1% of women will develop ovarian cancer | SEER 2018-2021 data |
Median Age at Diagnosis | 63 years | SEER 2018-2022 data |
5-Year Survival Rate | 51.6% overall survival | SEER 2015-2021 data |
Incidence Rate | 10.3 per 100,000 women per year | SEER 2018-2022 data |
Death Rate | 5.9 per 100,000 women per year | SEER 2019-2023 data |
Percentage of All Cancer Cases | 1.0% of all new cancer cases | National Cancer Institute |
Ranking Among Cancers | 18th most common cancer | American Cancer Society |
Most Common Age Group | 55-64 years (24.1% of cases) | SEER 2018-2022 data |
The data presented in this table reveals critical insights about ovarian cancer’s impact on American women. The estimated 20,890 new cases expected in 2025 represents a continuation of the gradual decline in incidence rates that has been observed over the past decade. This positive trend is attributed to various factors including improved awareness, better risk assessment, and preventive measures such as prophylactic surgery in high-risk women.
The 5-year survival rate of 51.6% reflects the challenging nature of ovarian cancer, primarily due to the fact that 55% of cases are diagnosed at the distant stage when the cancer has already spread beyond the ovaries. The median age at diagnosis of 63 years indicates that ovarian cancer predominantly affects postmenopausal women, which has important implications for screening strategies and awareness campaigns. The lifetime risk of 1.1% means that approximately 1 in 91 women will develop ovarian cancer during their lifetime, making it a relatively rare but significant health concern.
Ovarian Cancer Statistics in the U.S. 2025
Statistic Category | 2025 Data | Previous Year Comparison |
---|---|---|
New Cases Projected | 20,890 | Declining trend of -1.6% annually |
Deaths Projected | 12,730 | Declining trend of -2.7% annually |
Incidence Rate | 10.3 per 100,000 women | Based on 2018-2022 data |
Mortality Rate | 5.9 per 100,000 women | Based on 2019-2023 data |
Women Living with Disease | 243,572 | As of 2022 data |
Percentage of All Cancer Deaths | 2.1% | Among all cancer deaths |
The current statistics demonstrate that ovarian cancer remains a significant health concern despite encouraging trends in both incidence and mortality rates. The projected 20,890 new cases for 2025 represents a continuation of the declining trend that has been observed over the past decade, with age-adjusted rates falling by an average of 1.6% each year from 2013-2022. This decline is attributed to several factors including increased awareness about risk factors, genetic testing and counseling, and prophylactic surgeries among high-risk women.
The projected 12,730 deaths in 2025, while still substantial, reflects an even more encouraging trend with death rates falling by an average of 2.7% each year from 2014-2023. This more significant decline in mortality rates compared to incidence rates suggests improvements in treatment approaches and survival outcomes. The 243,572 women currently living with ovarian cancer in the United States represent a substantial population requiring ongoing care and support services, highlighting the importance of survivorship programs and long-term follow-up care.
Ovarian Cancer by Age Groups in the U.S. 2025
Age Range | Percentage of New Cases | Percentage of Deaths |
---|---|---|
Under 20 years | 1.5% | 0.1% |
20-34 years | 4.8% | 0.8% |
35-44 years | 7.6% | 2.2% |
45-54 years | 15.8% | 7.9% |
55-64 years | 24.1% | 20.5% |
65-74 years | 24.0% | 29.7% |
75-84 years | 15.6% | 26.1% |
85+ years | 6.5% | 12.6% |
The age distribution of ovarian cancer cases and deaths reveals important patterns that inform healthcare planning and resource allocation. The 55-64 age group represents the highest percentage of new cases at 24.1%, closely followed by the 65-74 age group at 24.0%. This concentration of cases in the older adult population reflects the fact that ovarian cancer is predominantly a disease of postmenopausal women, with the median age at diagnosis being 63 years.
The death statistics show a shift toward older age groups, with the 65-74 age group accounting for the highest percentage of deaths at 29.7%, followed by the 75-84 age group at 26.1%. This pattern suggests that while ovarian cancer can occur across various age groups, the mortality burden is heaviest among elderly women. The median age at death of 70 years indicates that most women who die from ovarian cancer are in their seventh decade of life, which has important implications for end-of-life care planning and family support services.
Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates by Stage in the U.S. 2025
Cancer Stage | Percentage of Cases | 5-Year Survival Rate |
---|---|---|
Localized (Stage I) | 20% | 91.7% |
Regional (Stage II-III) | 19% | 70.7% |
Distant (Stage IV) | 55% | 31.8% |
Unknown/Unstaged | 6% | 37.0% |
The survival statistics by stage dramatically illustrate the critical importance of early detection in ovarian cancer outcomes. Women diagnosed with localized disease have an excellent prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of 91.7%, demonstrating that ovarian cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Unfortunately, only 20% of cases are diagnosed at this favorable stage, largely due to the subtle and nonspecific nature of early ovarian cancer symptoms.
The most concerning aspect of these statistics is that 55% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at the distant stage, when the cancer has already spread beyond the ovaries to other parts of the body. At this advanced stage, the 5-year survival rate drops dramatically to 31.8%, highlighting the urgent need for improved screening methods and increased awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms. The 19% of cases diagnosed at the regional stage have an intermediate prognosis with a 70.7% five-year survival rate, indicating that even moderately advanced disease can have favorable outcomes with appropriate treatment.
Ovarian Cancer Trends and Projections in the U.S. 2025
Trend Category | Current Status | Annual Change Rate |
---|---|---|
Incidence Trend (2013-2022) | Declining | -1.6% per year |
Mortality Trend (2014-2023) | Declining | -2.7% per year |
5-Year Survival Trend | Improving | From 33.5% (1975) to 51.6% (2015-2021) |
Ranking Among Cancers | 18th most common | Stable position |
Death Ranking | 14th leading cause | Among cancer deaths |
The trends in ovarian cancer statistics reveal a cautiously optimistic picture for women’s health in the United States. The declining incidence rate of 1.6% per year from 2013-2022 suggests that prevention efforts and risk reduction strategies are having a positive impact. This decline may be attributed to factors such as increased use of oral contraceptives, which have protective effects against ovarian cancer, greater awareness of genetic risk factors leading to prophylactic surgeries, and improved identification of high-risk women through genetic counseling and testing.
The declining mortality rate of 2.7% per year from 2014-2023 is particularly encouraging, as it indicates that not only are fewer women developing ovarian cancer, but those who do develop the disease are experiencing better outcomes. This improvement in survival can be attributed to advances in surgical techniques, more effective chemotherapy regimens, the introduction of targeted therapies such as PARP inhibitors, and better supportive care throughout treatment. The overall 5-year survival rate improvement from 33.5% in 1975 to 51.6% in 2015-2021 represents a significant advancement in ovarian cancer care over the past five decades, though there remains substantial room for improvement compared to other cancer types.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.