News

Behind the headlines: two in one c-section & ovary removal

In early November 2023, several media outlets shared an interesting case report: Several women with a high inherited risk of cancer had opted to have their ovaries removed at the same time as having a caesarean section when having their baby.

Here we look behind the headlines to learn what this procedure is, and who it might be suitable for.

New NICE guideline released- Have your voice heard!

NICE have released new guidelines on ‘Ovarian cancer: identifying and managing familial and genetic risk’. The consultation period for the guidelines is open and we want you - our community - to have your voice heard and feedback.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

New research reveals Orkney BRCA gene link

Read our comment on a new study, published in the European Journal of Human Genetics, that has found that one in 100 people who have grandparents from Orkney, Scotland have the BRCA1 gene fault. This gene fault increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. 

Could regular aspirin use reduce ovarian cancer risk?

There have been a series of reports recently claiming that taking aspirin can play a major role in both preventing ovarian cancer and increasing survival rates in women who already have the disease.

Supporters from over 60 cancer charities are coming together to call for one thing – Government action on cancer. Sign the petition

Supporters from over 60 cancer charities are coming together to call for one thing – Government action on cancer. Sign the petition

‘Loyalty card could help spot ovarian cancer symptoms earlier’

You may have read news about an exciting research project coming out of our Research Centre. Here’s the background on how the study was developed and how important our Research Network was at influencing the research. 

Beth Mead becomes Ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Action

We're delighted to welcome England Lioness and Arsenal star, Beth Mead as an ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Action.

New research: ovarian cancer monitoring in women with faulty BRCA genes results in earlier diagnosis for those deferring preventive surgery

New research has found that regularly monitoring women with faulty BRCA genes, results in earlier diagnosis in those who want to delay preventive surgery and could save the NHS thousands in treatment costs. 

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month and we're busting some myths

Help us bust some myths and make ovarian cancer a survivable disease

Ovarian Cancer Action becomes NCRI partner

Ovarian Cancer Action has joined the NCRI (National Cancer Research Institute) Partnership as a funder of cancer research. Ovarian Cancer Action joins 21 other funders of cancer research wishing to maximise the value and benefits of cancer research for patients and the public

"Cancer doesn't wait in line"

Ovarian Cancer Action is raising awareness of ovarian cancer in shopping malls around the UK, encouraging those experiencing symptoms to visit their GP and avoid late diagnosis.