Blog

What has happened with our research this year?

Your support funds vital ovarian cancer research. Learn all about the incredible work that our scientists have been working on in 2022 to help prevent ovarian cancer, diagnose it early and develop effective, personalised treatments.

Tackling ovarian cancer inequalities – an update from our IMPROVE UK programme

Earlier this year, we began our landmark IMPROVE UK programme to address inequalities of care across the UK for women with ovarian cancer. Our Head of Policy and Research, Marie-Claire Platt reflects on the progress and challenges we’ve encountered so far.

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.

How the BriTROC-2 trial will aim to help create new, personalised treatments for women with ovarian cancer

BriTROC-2 is a new Ovarian Cancer Action funded study that will help towards our goal of finding better treatments that will help women to live longer. However, as well as benefiting women in the future, this collaborative effort will have benefits for women living with ovarian cancer now. 

New immunotherapy treatments for ovarian cancer will save lives

Immunotherapy could be the key to providing more effective treatment for ovarian cancer patients. Ovarian Cancer Action is investing in three exciting research projects that will investigate how the immune system can once again be used to fight ovarian cancer - each with a unique lens.

Research Study, take part: How ovary removal impacts your brain

A team of researchers from the Einstein Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto are looking for volunteers to help in their research looking at how hormones impact cognition. 

The PROTECTOR Study

The PROTECTOR study explores a possible two-step surgery process, removing the fallopian tubes and then the ovaries when the patient is close to menopause.

Unlocking the potential of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients

Immunotherapy is the focus of our 14th HHMT International Forum on Ovarian Cancer. Prof Iain McNeish and Dr Sarah Spear explain what it is and why it's such an exciting area of ovarian cancer research

OVPSYCH2: Research into survivorship support for ovarian cancer patients

Supported by Ovarian Cancer Action, OVPSYCH2 was the first randomised study to offer psychological support to ovarian cancer patients in the UK. Research into survivorship support for ovarian cancer patients is vital in improving quality of life for those affected by ovarian cancer.  

"I loved my experience at the lab, and hearing about Jon's work was the highlight of the day"

Gift Hamisi has a family history of ovarian cancer, and was recently tested for the BRCA gene mutation, to discover if she also faced a high risk. We invited her to meet Dr Jonathan Krell at the Ovarian Cancer Research Centre, whose work focuses on hereditary mutations. 

Prof. McNeish tackles PTEN-mutated ovarian cancers

Why are some ovarian cancers harder to treat, and how can we help our immune system fight them? Professor Iain McNeish explains

Walk in the name of someone you love and help fund vital research

Honour someone you love and Walk In Her Name. By clocking up the kilometers, you'll fund fast-track vital ovarian cancer research, saving lives like Heidi's.

"If we are to make a major difference in our fight against ovarian cancer we must develop a screening tool"

Your support means that Professor Ahmed Ahmed and his team at the University of Oxford have been able to make ground breaking discoveries in the early detection of ovarian cancer. This work could be the key to saving thousands of women’s lives every year. You can help fund research into the development of the world’s first screening tool for ovarian cancer by donating £10 today.  

Why do we fund medical research?

We know that ovarian cancer is deadly. That it takes the lives of too many women. And we’re on a mission to stop these women dying before their time. At the heart of this mission is the real action we’re taking. Libby van den Bosch examines how the research we fund is making a real difference to the lives of women.

Should we still be talking about ‘ovarian’ cancer?

Last week an article entitled "Why are we still talking about 'ovarian' cancer" was published and has since been widely shared on the internet. Our Cancer Prevention Officer, Jo, takes a look at the implications.

Could osteoporosis drugs be used to prevent cancer in BRCA1 gene carriers?

Our Health Projects Manager Ross responds to reports of a new 'holy grail' in cancer prevention, which suggests drugs more commonly used to treat osteoporosis could be used to prevent ovarian and breast cancer in women who carry a BRCA1 gene mutation.