Changing Lives Through Research: The 15th Helene Harris Memorial Trust (HHMT) International Forum

Ovarian cancer doesn’t wait, and neither should we.

Every four years, Ovarian Cancer Action brings together the world’s top ovarian cancer researchers at the Helene Harris Memorial Trust (HHMT) International Forum to change the course of this deadly disease. This October we are hosting the 15th HHMT Forum, once again pushing the boundaries of research to transform survival rates for women facing ovarian cancer.

This isn’t just a scientific meeting. It’s where real progress is made for patients. It’s where world-leading experts sit down to tackle the barriers to research progress and find solutions to the critical questions that so many women and their families are asking: how can we survive ovarian cancer? While there has been progress in other cancers, ovarian cancer still lags behind. That’s why the discussions at this Forum matter so much. We need to ensure that women with ovarian cancer have the same hope for survival that women with other cancers now have.

The HHMT Forum is part of Ovarian Cancer Action’s DNA. The Forum was first established by John Harris CBE in the mid-1980s after the death of his late wife Helene. Twenty years later, Helene’s daughter Allyson founded Ovarian Cancer Action to translate discussions at the Forum into action. And we’ve been doing just that ever since.

In 2006, we established Europe's first dedicated ovarian cancer research centre at Imperial College, London. As a charity, we have since funded over £12 million into research to transform survival rates for women affected by the disease.

Here in the UK, one of the most tangible impacts the Forum has had is the formal recognition that ovarian cancer has symptoms. For years, ovarian cancer was called a ‘silent killer’. That all changed when US researcher Professor Barbara Goff presented her groundbreaking work at the HHMT Forum, identifying the key symptoms like bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating, and urinary problems. This research enabled Ovarian Cancer Action to campaign for the official recognition of ovarian cancer symptoms—a move that was met with resistance from many. But we fought back, alongside Professor Goff and other HHMT delegates, and won a major victory. The Department of Health approved the recognition of the key symptoms — a game-changing moment that laid the foundation for ongoing ovarian cancer awareness campaigns.

The result? More women are aware of the warning signs. More women are getting diagnosed earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful. That’s the power of this Forum—real change that saves lives.

Since its inception, the HHMT Forum has had a global impact on ovarian cancer research, clinical guidance, and collaboration. By holding this event, Ovarian Cancer Action ensures that the brightest minds in the field are working together to answer the toughest questions. And the best part? The work that begins at this Forum doesn’t stay in the room—it turns into funded research projects that directly improve patient care.

We’ve seen the impact before, and we’ll see it again. The HHMT Forum is about more than just talk—it’s about action. It’s about making sure every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has a better chance to survive.