Canada (May 2nd, 2018) - Ovarian cancer incidence is estimated to climb by nearly 55%
[1] globally in the next two decades, according to figures released by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition in advance of World Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8th. A key factor in the projected increase in the number of cases is the aging population, as women 50 and over are at greater risk of developing this disease.
Here in Canada, one out of every two women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will not live to see another five years. Survival rates have not improved in five decades. To spur progress against the disease, Ovarian Cancer Canada is calling on the federal government to invest $10 million in urgently needed research. The funds would enable leading Canadian scientists to improve research models, prioritize new treatments and advance clinical trials.
While Ovarian Cancer Canada is the only national charity dedicated to confronting this disease in Canada, it partners globally with the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (WOCC), a group of patient organizations leading worldwide efforts to reduce the impact ovarian cancer has on the lives of women and their loved ones.
This year, WOCC launched the Every Woman Study, which is the most comprehensive study to date of the global impact of ovarian cancer. Early results show the global burden of the disease will rise unless urgent action is taken - ovarian cancer has the lowest survival rate of all female cancers.
[2] Global five-year survival rates range between 30% and 50% of women, and in most countries have been slow to rise. By comparison, in many countries, over 80% of women with breast cancer will survive for five years or more.
[3]
The Every Woman Study includes a review of global ovarian cancer statistics, interviews with women and clinicians in a range of countries, and a survey of women with ovarian cancer. To date over 1,000 women in 39 countries have taken part. The Study is being guided by an international Expert Panel of ovarian cancer clinicians and patients.
Elisabeth Baugh, Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada says, “This Study tells us that ovarian cancer is lagging far behind many other cancers, like breast cancer, that have seen improved outcomes. Women with ovarian cancer deserve similar progress, regardless of where they live, The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition works with over 130 ovarian cancer patient advocacy partners from around the world to affect this change. World Ovarian Cancer Day takes place on May 8
th to call attention to the need for progress against this disease.”
Annwen Jones, Chief Executive of UK charity Target Ovarian Cancer, Vice-Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Co-Chair of the Every Woman Study, says: “The projected rise in incidence of ovarian cancer is especially concerning because we still lack the means to diagnose it early and treat it effectively. This is a global problem that requires a global solution, and the Every Woman Study is the first step. The more we know, the more we can transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of women.”
Frances Reid, The Every Woman Study Research Director says, “The ovarian cancer patients and clinicians that we have spoken to, and surveyed, as part of the Every Woman Study have highlighted consistent global challenges relating to lack of awareness about the disease, access to specialist treatment and support for patients. Our objective with the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Every Woman Study is to provide the body of evidence needed to identify and address these challenges head-on.”
Contact
For further information and interview requests:
Janice Chan
Director of Communications, Ovarian Cancer Canada
1 877 413-7970 extension 229
jchan@ovariancanada.org
Notes
World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD)
WOCD is held each year on May 8th. It was established in 2013, by a group of leaders from ovarian cancer patient advocacy organizations from around the world. These leaders saw the need to take global action to raise awareness about the disease and to bring together the ovarian cancer community in solidarity in the fight against this disease. In 2016, these leaders came together to formally establish the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Today, the WOCD campaign is supported by over 130 patient advocacy organizations from around the world and has a social media reach of more than 400,000. WOCD is now the flagship awareness-raising initiative of the
World Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
http://ovariancancerday.org
For more information about World Ovarian Cancer Day contact:
cmackay@worldovariancancercoalition.com.
World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (WOCC)
The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition is a not-for-profit organization, established in 2016, working across the globe to reduce the impact ovarian cancer has on the lives of women and their loved ones. The 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.
The WOCC works with over 130 ovarian cancer patient advocacy Partner organizations from around the world. World Ovarian Cancer Day and The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Every Woman Study are initiatives of the WOCC.
http://worldovariancancercoalition.org
For more information about the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition contact:
cmackay@worldovariancancercoalition.com
The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Every Woman Study
The WOCC Every Woman Study will bring together an authoritative evidence base that reflects the experiences of women living with ovarian cancer and those who support them across the globe. The Study will help the WOCC highlight gaps, challenges and opportunities for ovarian cancer patients around the world. This work will lead to the development of a WOCC global charter for action.
http://worldovariancancercoalition.org/every-woman/
For more information about The Every Woman Study contact:
cmackay@worldovariancancercoalition.com
[3] Global surveillance of trends in cancer survival 2000–14 (CONCORD-3): analysis of individual records for 37 513 025 patients diagnosed with one of 18 cancers from 322 population-based registries in 71 countries, The Lancet (Online),
Volume 391, No. 10125, p1023–1075, 17 March 2018