Ovarian cancer can affect any woman, at any age. But the disease usually targets women in their 50’s and 60’s.

Its an age when most middle aged-women stop having annual pap smears; the test to check for cervical cancer.

Ovarian cancer kills more than 14,000 women each year, but a yearly exam can save your life.

Dr. Robert Wool told 22News that early detection is key to successful treatment. 

“We’d love to find it early,” Wool told 22News. “[If] you find it in stages 1 and 2, the rate of cure is considerably higher than if you find it in stages 3 and 4.”

Warning signs include bloating, abdominal pain and a change in bowel movements.

You can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer by eating healthy, not smoking and receiving annual pelvic exams.

If you have a family history of cancer, consider taking a genetic test to see if you carry the gene. The test is covered by most insurance companies.