CANADA – An international survey shows that Canadian women with ovarian cancer rate our government 4.6 out of 10 on efforts to address the most fatal gynecological cancer. Claiming the lives of more than half of those diagnosed within a span of just five years, ovarian cancer is a persistently underfunded area of research. With funding shortfalls stalling scientific progress, survival rates have not improved in five decades.
Ovarian Cancer Canada, the country’s only charity dedicated to confronting the disease, is mobilizing nationwide advocacy drives to urge the federal government to step up investments in support of improved treatments where few new options have been made publicly available since the 1990s.
Alongside these efforts, results of the largest and most comprehensive international survey on ovarian cancer are set to launch at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Munich on October 18. The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition: Every Woman Study comprises information from over 1,500 ovarian cancer patients in 44 countries to understand more about the experience of this disease on an international scale.
Global highlights:
- Over two thirds (69.1%) of women with ovarian cancer had not heard of the disease, or did not know anything about it before diagnosis
- On average, 78.3% of women consulted a doctor about symptoms
- On average, 54.7% of women had undergone genetic testing either before or after diagnosis
The 156 Canadian respondents to the survey presented marked differences. Canadians were:
- More likely to report knowing lots or something about ovarian cancer prior to diagnosis (40.1% vs. 30.5%)
- More likely to consult a health professional about symptoms (85% vs. 78.3%)
- More likely to have had genetic testing either before or after diagnosis (66.9% vs. 54.7%)
While awareness of symptoms and seeking medical attention appears to be less of a challenge here in Canada, the fact remains that five Canadian women die every day from ovarian cancer.
“Canadians living with ovarian cancer are well aware of the realities of this disease and they look to the government to assume some responsibility for changes that will ultimately save their lives,” says Elisabeth Baugh, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada and Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. “As home to a cadre of leading scientists in the field, Canada has a chance to shine on the world stage by being a part of the solution. A $10 million federal investment in research would enable our researchers to collaborate nationally on the major challenges standing in the way of better outcomes.”
The Every Woman Study is a global call to action, one that is already gaining traction in Canada. Having moved past awareness to advocacy, Ovarian Cancer Canada is appealing to more Canadians to voice their concerns about this neglected issue in women’s health, and in so doing spur national decision makers to help save women’s lives.
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INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
The following spokespeople are available for interviews:
- Elisabeth Baugh, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada and Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, discussing global survey findings and how moving beyond awareness into advocacy is helping Canadian women with ovarian cancer to live fuller, better, longer lives
- Dr. Laurie Elit, Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, and Gynecologic Oncologist at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, speaking from a clinical perspective about survival rates and challenges in treatment
- Local women living with ovarian cancer sharing their personal experiences and the importance of continued advocacy
To arrange interviews and for more information, please contact:
Janice Chan
Director of Communications, Ovarian Cancer Canada
jchan@ovariancanada.org
1.877.413.7970 ext. 229
About Ovarian Cancer Canada
Ovarian Cancer Canada is the only registered Canadian charity solely dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer. The organization aims to ensure that women with ovarian cancer and those at risk of the disease live fuller, better, longer lives. www.ovariancanada.org
About The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition: Every Woman Study
The Every Woman Study was undertaken by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition to establish a body of evidence that speaks to the global state of affairs of ovarian cancer. This evidence will form the basis of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s future strategy and priorities.
The full Every Woman Study will be launched on 18 October, ahead of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress, Munich. All reports will be available after the embargo lifts at: www.worldovariancancercoalition.org
About The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition
The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (WOCC) is a not-for-profit organization working across the globe to reduce the impact ovarian cancer has on the lives of women and their loved ones. WOCC’s mission is to ensure the best possible chance of survival, and the best quality of life for every woman with ovarian cancer – wherever she lives. WOCC works with over 130 ovarian cancer patient advocacy partner organizations from around the world. www.worldovariancancercoalition.org