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World Cancer Day 2024: Ovarian Cancer Action take parliament for #CatchUpWithCancer

At Ovarian Cancer Action, we want all women to survive ovarian cancer. We’re determined to make sure every woman gets the treatment they need when they need it. For World Cancer Day 2024, we went to the Houses of Parliament, alongside 20 cancer charities, to call on the Government and opposition parties to drastically reduce waiting times for cancer patients.

Can ovarian cysts be cancerous?

You may have noticed there have been a few stories in the news about ovarian cancer being misdiagnosed as ovarian cysts recently. Ovarian cysts are common and are usually non-cancerous. We spoke to Dr Brooke Vandermolen, an Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctor, to find out more.

Retired farmer's mission to support Ovarian Cancer Action as tribute to his late wife

When Evelyn Wigley passed away 2015 from ovarian cancer, her husband Emyr decided to combat the "evil disease" in her memory.

He created The Old Stackyard British Blues, a closed breeding herd of pedigree British Blue cattle. Due to a recent injury, Mr Wigley has decided to sell his herd of 33 cattle in March, hoping to raise £100,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI). 

Lottie – ‘My symptoms were put down to being poorly when pregnant’

On the 4th January 2022, Lottie gave birth to a baby boy born at 29 weeks gestation. His premature birth was put down to her having multiple infections. Lottie had become unwell in pregnancy firstly with a kidney infection. She then discovered this was only the start.

Showing the reality of ovarian cancer with a new campaign

Did you know only 44% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive beyond five years? The odds are against women and we need you to take action.

Dear Janey Godley,

We can’t imagine what the last year must have been like. You’ve courageously shared so much about your diagnosis, coping with treatment, and the emotional side effects – the good and the bad, your hopes and your fears. 

So, through all that and everything you’ve gone through, there’s one thing we want to make sure you know on this fateful anniversary.

Thank you. 

Taking action together since 2005

In 2005, women with ovarian cancer had no voice – the disease was considered a ‘silent killer’. Women had no guidelines to identify symptoms and there was little to no scientific research to spark hope that survival rates could improve. That’s why Ovarian Cancer Action was formed; to give women a much-needed platform for their voices to be heard, and to fund lifesaving awareness work and research projects.

Channel 5's new women's health series is progress - so, why is ovarian cancer overlooked again?

Over the past week, Channel 5 has broadcast a much-needed series called Women’s Health: Breaking the taboos, that has explored difficult medical conditions such as endometriosis, menopause, painful periods and vaginal dryness. While we applaud this stance and direction, we have to ask - why is ovarian cancer being overlooked? 

Rosalind Franklin - why she will inspire us forever

Rosalind Franklin was a talented scientist and X-ray crystallographer. She helped the world understand the molecular structure of coal, numerous viruses and DNA. She died young of ovarian cancer, missing out on a Nobel Prize.

"At-risk women in England must be supported, not penalised with HRT prescription charges"

Government pledges to lower HRT prescription costs and provide better support for women going through menopause after MPs debate the Menopause Bill.

The Women’s Institute: voting for a resolution

Today is the Women’s Institute (WI) Annual Meeting which marks the first day that WI’s up and down the country can vote to support the resolution: “A call to increase awareness of the subtle signs of ovarian cancer”.

Powerful together - World Ovarian Cancer Day

This World Ovarian Cancer Day we want to cause a commotion. With one woman dying every two hours of ovarian cancer, it's time to let the world know the size of this issue - and what we're doing to change that.

Thank you

On Sunday the 31st January, our BBC Lifeline Appeal aired. This was our chance to bring ovarian cancer into the public eye, to raise awareness, and gain support for the life-saving research we do. There are so many people who are responsible for giving ovarian cancer this platform, and so this is our page to thank the special people that helped support us.

January update: What’s happening with ovarian cancer treatment?

We take a look at what’s happening in hospitals right now, what you should expect if your treatment is delayed, and how we can help you through the weeks ahead. 

Ovarian Cancer Action joins coalition calling for current furlough scheme to be extended for shielded and high-risk workers

People who have been shielding from coronavirus and can’t safely return to work from 1st August risk losing their jobs and livelihoods, warns new report from the Trade Union Congress.

Will drinking fruit juice increase my risk of cancer?

It has been reported this week that drinking sugary drinks - including fizzy drinks and fruit juice - may increase the risk of developing cancer.

International DNA Day

April 25th is International DNA Day, commemorating the day that papers by James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin, and their colleagues on the structure of DNA were published in Nature. 

No deal Brexit – what does it mean for women with ovarian cancer?

While there is very little clarity around Brexit and what will happen if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal, Head of Public Affairs and Research Marie-Claire Platt outlines what we know.

Eastender’s Jean Slater diagnosed with ovarian cancer

Eastender’s Jean Slater has been told she has ovarian cancer; a life-changing diagnosis that 7,400 women and their families go through each year in the UK.  

New NHS guidelines around the contraceptive pill

A story in The Independent this week has reported that many women who take the combined contraceptive pill believe that it is necessary to have a seven-day withdrawal bleed, despite evidence that this reduces its efficacy.