News & Blog
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Nola: I ignored my symptoms, but a research trial discovered I had ovarian cancer
Nola shares her story to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and ovarian cancer research trials. Before Nola was diagnosed, she experienced many symptoms but didn’t realise they were associated with ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 3c serous cancer in May 2022.
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What keeps our researchers motivated?
What keeps our researchers motivated? We asked our ovarian cancer specialists what helps them through the tough moments and keeps them motivated to keep going.
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Laura: My symptoms returned - I put them to the back of my mind
Laura spoke to us in 2019 about her ovarian cancer diagnosis a few years prior to help us raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for. Recently, Laura found herself noticing ovarian cancer symptoms again, here she talks about her ovarian recurrence. -
Isle of Man Anti Cancer Charity - Supporting local communities
The Isle of Man Anti Cancer Charity has been a long-time contributor to Ovarian Cancer Action. Statistically, 7 Island residents will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. Here they tell us why the charity was founded, the mission and how they're helping residents in their local communities. -
Rose: I wish I pushed for answers
Rose talks through her ovarian cancer experience - including the ovarian cancer symptoms she experiences, the delays in her diagnosis and not being taken seriously when her cysts were discovered. -
New Research Brings Us One Step Closer to Personalised Ovarian Cancer Treatments
Ovarian Cancer Action funded BriTROC researchers have made two major new ovarian cancer discoveries, published recently in Nature Communications, that will bring us closer to more women surviving ovarian cancer. Professor Iain McNeish and his team at the Ovarian Cancer Research Centre at Imperial College London have found that genetic mutations are not causing cancer to recur in patients between diagnosis and relapse, and have identified 2 tumour markers that predict early relapse from chemotherapy. -
Alex: Not getting involved with Ovarian Cancer Action was not an option
After witnessing what his wife, Vicky, went through, Alex knew that not getting involved with Ovarian Cancer Action wasn't an option. He decided to raise £75,000 in her name and continues to raise money towards changing the outcome for the next generation.
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Liz: “I lost my daughter to ovarian cancer - she died within a year of her diagnosis"
Louise’s Mum, Liz, shares her daughter’s story. She talks about the symptoms she experienced and highlights the injustice her loved one faced.
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British Gynaecological Cancer Society 2023 | Updates from our Head of Policy and Research
Every year the British Gynaecological Cancer Society [BGCS] hold their annual meeting to share updates in Gynaecological cancer across the UK. Our Head of Research and Policy, Marie-Claire Platt, travelled up to Aberdeen to share the first results of our IMPROVE UK programme, meet old connections and new, and learn what is new in ovarian cancer treatment.
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IMPROVE UK results announced at BGCS Conference 2023
Today the results of the first pilots in the IMPROVE UK programme have been presented at the British Gynaecological Cancer Society annual conference in Aberdeen, Scotland.
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Our researchers discover that relying on a single biopsy from a single location may not lead to the most effective treatment
Professor Christina Fotopoulou and Dr Paula Cunnea of our Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre (pictured above) have discovered that there is a lot of variation in a specific genetic marker that doctors usually use to help decide on the best maintenance treatment for ovarian cancer patients. This discovery suggests that relying on a single biopsy from a single location may not adequately represent the entire spectrum of a patient's tumour profile, potentially leading to suboptimal treatment decisions.
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Emma: ‘I was diagnosed with endometriosis, then discovered I had ovarian cancer’
Emma, now aged 42, found out that she had a cyst on her ovary at a routine ultrasound in 2022, during her treatment for endometriosis. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer one year later, after a cyst grew rapidly on her other ovary.
Emma shares her journey to diagnosis, how she has managed to retain a positive outlook during her treatment, and her advice for other women with ovarian cancer.
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Men and BRCA: what you need to know
Demetra Georgiou is a Principal Genetic Counsellor at Imperial College Healthcare (Charing Cross Hospital). She answers our top questions about men and BRCA.
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More women now eligible for groundbreaking ovarian cancer drug Olaparib
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has extended access to olaparib, also known as Lynparza, so that all patients with a BRCA gene mutation can now benefit from the drug. Hear what our Head of Policy and Research has to say about the update.
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New Drug Combination Shows Promising Results in Ovarian Cancer Trial
In a significant breakthrough for low grade serous ovarian cancer, a new drug combination has demonstrated the ability to shrink tumours in nearly half of the patients involved in a recent clinical trial.
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Niraparib is changing - what you need to know
Many patients are currently taking the cancer drug Niraparib, also known as Zejula, to treat their ovarian cancer. From June 2023 the drug is changing – find out why and how this might affect you.
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How we're using your views to inform the Government's Major Conditions Strategy
The Call for Evidence is now opened to inform the Government's Major Conditions Strategy but we want you to know that your voices have and will be heard.
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Sarah – ‘this diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of your life – you are still living’
In May 2016, Sarah sat by her 94 year old Grandma’s side whilst she died of ovarian cancer. Her Great Grandmother had died of it in her 60’s too. 18 months later, Sarah’s experience of ovarian cancer became even more personal.
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New blood test trial in West Midlands to diagnose ovarian cancer earlier
In the West Midlands, Professor Sudha Sundar and a collaboration University of Birmingham and local NHS trusts, are running a trial where women experiencing possible symptoms of ovarian cancer will be offered a ROMA (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm) blood test. This tests works alongside the CA125 test.
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Mary: ‘I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at only 12 years old - but it’s not stopped me from following my dreams’
Doctors made the horrifying discovery that Mary had an ovarian tumour when she was just a child.
Here Mary, who is now 22, talks about diagnosis, and how her resilience and passion for dance has given her hope for the future.