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Ovarian Cancer News

Speedier tests for ovarian cancer planned

September 2009

GPs in England are to get speedier access to diagnostic tests to help spot less clear-cut cancer cases, Prime Minister Gordon Brown will pledge.

It will initially be targeted at lung, colorectal and ovarian cancers, which account for more than a third of cancer deaths and where late diagnosis is a particular problem.

Ovacome comments on the OvPlex ovarian cancer detection test

September 2009

Louise Bayne, CEO of Ovacome:

"Ovacome welcomes this latest development, however we don't anticipate that this test will be available on the NHS for some time. If you have any questions or concerns about screening, please contact our nurses on 0845 371 0554."

For more information on the OvPlex test and to read the full statement from the Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, please click here.

On more weapon in the fight against ovarian cancer

August 2009

A genetic link to the disease, which often lies hidden until it's so advanced that it's difficult to treat, was revealed earlier this month.

The study involved more than 4,000 UK women and collaboration between the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge and University College, London.

The first glimmer of hope of more tailored screening?

August 2009

A study published in Nature Genetics this week reported on a new development in ovarian cancer genetics. They have discovered a genetic variation, known as a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism ('SNP' - known as a 'snip') which can increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The scientists based at the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Unit, at the University of Cambridge and University College London, have spent eight years looking at the DNA of thousands of women with and without ovarian cancer. The area of risk DNA otherwise known as a low penetrance gene is on chromosome 9. Louise Bayne CEO of Ovacome said: "This is the first of the low penetrance ovarian cancer genes - which slightly increase the risk of ovarian cancer - to be identified and Ovacome welcomes this exciting advance."

What is a low penetrance gene?

Dr James Mackay, Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist, explains that low penetrance genes slightly increase the risk of ovarian cancer, whereas high penetrance genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk much more. If you imagine a room with 1000 women in it, and imagine they all had totally normal genes, over their lifetimes, 10 of the women in the room would get ovarian cancer. Now if you imagine that all the 1000 women had this new genetic 'SNP', then over a lifetime 14 of the women would get ovarian cancer. If you imagine that they all had a BRCA gene mutation, 400 of them would get ovarian cancer. So you can see that although this does increase the risk of ovarian cancer a little, it is a small increase compared to some of the major genetic detections we already know about. The really important thing about this study is that, as more low penetrance ovarian cancer genes are identified, a more tailored approach to screening could be provided.

"I was only 31 when I got ovarian cancer -- so I urge all women to get checked out"

July 2009

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is calling on the Government to urgently set up risk-assessment clinics for ovarian cancer in strategic locations around the country.

Ovarian cancer signs 'confusion'

June 2009

There is "widespread confusion" amongst doctors and women about ovarian cancer, a new report has said.

A spokesman for the Royal College of GPs said it was "extraordinarily difficult" to diagnose ovarian cancer at an early stage.

Guardian article on 'chemobrain'

April 2009

'I feel my brain is not my own'

Susan Sontag likened hers to the symptoms of a stroke, while Kylie Minogue complained that it made her forget everything. Welcome to chemobrain or, less catchily, "cancer treatment-related change in cognitive function" - a widespread problem for cancer patients which, until recently, has been largely ignored by clinicians.

Ovarian Cancer Test May Stop 'Silent Killer'

March 2009

A new screening test for ovarian cancer can diagnose the disease long before women have any symptoms, research suggests.

Ovarian Cancer on Radio 4's Women's Hour

March 2009

What are the symptoms?

It has historically been known as "the silent killer", but many now think the label to be an unhelpful description of ovarian cancer. In February 2009 the Department of Health published "key messages for health professionals" which included a list of symptoms linked to the disease. Jane is joined by the GP Dr Sarah Jarvis who was closely involved in the drafting of those key messages, and Loretta Oliver, who has advanced ovarian cancer and runs awareness workshops about the disease for women who work in the City.

Listen to this programme here

Ovacome News

One of Ovacome's Regional Ovarian Cancer Co-ordinators, Penny Lang, speaks to the Daily Mail about her ovarian cancer journey

November 2009

Penelope, who lives in Northampton with her husband Alastair, 35, a risk manager, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October last year. Ovarian cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, with about 7,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Most of these are post-menopausal women, but many hundreds of young women are also affected.

Penelope's experience was typical. The only sign something was wrong was a bloated stomach. But she was one of the lucky ones: a scan for an unrelated problem detected the rapidly-growing cancer early, saving her life.

Autumn/ Winter 2009 Newsletter

October 2009

Ovacome's Autumn/ Winter 2009 newsletter is now available to download here.

Ovacome Surveys 2009

August 2009

One of Ovacome's main missions is to provide a voice for those affected by the disease. Our surveys in the past have been widely distributed and warmly received. Your experiences have informed the Department of Health, as well as researchers and professional bodies. The results have been presented at international meetings as well as local events. Our 2006 survey remains the largest of its kind in the UK.

In preparation for ovarian cancer awareness month 2010, we wanted to learn more about your path to diagnosis. What was good? What could have been done better?

We would like your help in completing two quick online surveys. These surveys focus on what the barriers to your diagnosis were, and how we can remove them.

One called The Ovacome GP Experience Survey, which can be found here.

The second is called The Diagnosis Pathway Survey, which can be found here.

If you can, please do complete them both as they focus on different aspects of your diagnosis experiences.

The surveys are completely anonymous; we will not be able to trace the origins at all. Please do answer the questions as comprehensively as possible - the more we understand, the better we can use your experiences to help other women with ovarian cancer.

If you have any questions, please do feel free to call us or email us.

Thank you so much.

New Ovacome Factsheets!

August 2009

Ovacome is delighted to announce our 15 new and fully updated information factsheets. These cover various aspects of ovarian cancer such as types of ovarian cancer, staging and questions to ask your doctor as well as information on topics such as symptoms, screening, treatment options, relapse and coping with cancer-related issues like menopause and your sexuality.

We are also pleased to be able to tell you that that all our fact sheets have now been crystal marked by the Plain English Campaign, an organisation dedicated to clear and concise information in plain English.

For a full list of subjects covered or to download any of the factsheets from our website, please click here.

You can also make a request by phone or post.

Here come the girls! The Adidas 5k 2009

August 2009

Run (or walk!) the London Adidas Women's 5k on Sept 6th in Hyde Park in support of Ovacome and to raise awareness of ovarian cancer! Deadline for applications is the 15th Aug.

www.womenschallenge.co.uk

Summer 2009 Newsletter

June 2009

Ovacome's Summer 2009 newsletter is now available to download here.

Tributes to stalwart cancer campaigner and Ovacome trustee, Sandra Woodward

June 2009

Sandra Woodward was diagnosed when she retired to Clungunford more than six years ago and dedicated her life to furthering the welfare and care of cancer patients in Herefordshire and Powys. She studied the disease, becoming a recognised expert, speaking at conferences in the UK and in Europe.

Sandra was a valued member of the Ovacome trustee board and will be greatly missed by all at Ovacome.

Congratulations to our Marathon runners!

May 2009

Alison Clarke
Alice Kaphan
Rachel Baker
Rachel Ireland
Jason Critoph
Martyn Jones
Kate Baker
Malanie McMath
Andrew Shaw
Jim O'Leary

Spring 2009 newsletter

March 2009

Ovacome's Spring 2009 newsletter is now available to download here.

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