International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A fifth fewer women have developed ovarian cancer in the UK over the last ten years, a new study has indicated.

Figures published by Cancer UK indicate that cancer rates for women in their 50s and early 60s are almost 20 per cent lower than they were in 1998.

A 14 per cent drop has also been seen in women under 50 since they hit their peak in 1997.

Cancer UK claims a rise in the number of women taking the contraceptive pill and decreasing use of hormone replacement therapy could have contributed to the improvement.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, said the trend in the number of women getting ovarian cancer reversed suddenly around ten years ago, adding that the latest statistics "make it clear that rates are continuing to fall steadily".

She added: "This is good news for women. We know from Cancer Research UK studies that taking the pill for more than 15 years halves the risk of ovarian cancer.

"We can't be sure that the drop in ovarian cancer rates is solely due to the pill, but it has played an important role."

Earlier this week, research published by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, US, found that cancer survival rates are improving in 15 to 24 year olds.