Thank you to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Science Fund for enabling ovarian cancer research to continue through their contribution to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

*this report covers activities from April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025.

How Karla Takes Us From “No Options” to Early Detection

“In my family, ovarian cancer has always lived in the back of our minds,” shares Karla Henry, her two grandmothers and two great-aunts succumbing to the disease long before genetic testing was an option. Despite always suspecting that their family had a gene mutation, they didn’t know for sure until 2022, after Karla’s mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, “Once we knew of my mom’s gene mutation, my siblings and I all got tested. Turned out that all of us girls were positive for the BRCA 2 mutation.” With this information in hand, Karla was offered annual checks to stay on top of her breast cancer risk – something that ended up being critical, “at only 31 years old, they found breast cancer in my very first mammogram.”

Early detection tools for breast cancer save thousands of lives every year, but those facing the possibility of ovarian cancer are left with no options – including Karla: “I was offered annual mammograms and breast ultrasounds, but for ovarian cancer was told ‘there’s nothing we can do to manage your risk. Come back when you’re 40, and we’ll discuss [surgery]’.” Faced with the knowledge that ovarian cancer would likely impact each generation of women in her family, Karla is determined to do more than wait. With her $25 monthly donation to Ovarian Cancer Canada, Karla fuels the research that didn’t exist for the women before her.

This year, both you and Karla supported research to uncover the first effective early detection tests for ovarian cancer.

Thanks to your support, the Ovarian Cancer Relief Foundation’s Dawn Ride, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Science Fund, we invested in two groundbreaking early detection research projects.

“We can always hope for a cure, but early detection is almost the first step toward that,” reflects Karla. We’re working toward the first effective early detection tool for ovarian cancer. This is no longer a dream; it’s progress that you’re making possible. “I may have 15 years before I could get ovarian cancer, but I’m hopeful for how much things could advance before then.”

While we work toward future breakthroughs, you ensure that women are supported today.

Prevention: A Bold Step Toward Saving Lives

That’s why, in 2024, Ovarian Cancer Canada launched our prevention effort, including the creation of a Prevention Task Force and broad public awareness campaign. Thanks to the leadership of the Prevention Task Force and the resources they have developed, the prevention pathway is no longer untapped; it’s being put to good use, helping stop this disease before it starts.

Putting Patients at the Heart of Discovery

Because of you, patients aren’t an afterthought – they’re our compass. Together, we’re shifting science toward patient-informed discovery, ensuring every breakthrough starts with lived experience.

Expanding Access to Care: From Treatments to Trained Specialists

This is almost double the wait time compared to other countries. Reducing these delays is especially critical for ovarian cancer because women don’t have time to lose. That’s why we advocate to close this gap, ensuring every treatment reaches the patients who need it, when they need it. “It feels good to be able to make even a little positive difference,” shares Luda, a woman advocating for change after her own ovarian cancer diagnosis. “Researchers and doctors make the final decisions, but they need to understand more than just the numbers. They need to understand how these decisions affect real people – how it affects our daily lives, our families, our futures.”

Improved Specialized Care a Win for British Columbians

British Columbia has had significant challenges in their cancer care system for many years, with only eight gynecologic oncologists serving 5.5 million people. Ovarian Cancer Canada joined clinicians and patients in advocating for change, together we succeeded. “Increasing the number of gynecologic oncologists in BC has been a huge success,” shares Dr. Sarah Finlayson, who has been a long-time champion for this change. “For the first time in years, women in BC are getting their cancer surgery on time. Last month, 90% of women in BC had their cancer surgeries within our target timelines, ensuring their timely access to care. Our modelling suggests that we have a sufficient number of gynecologic oncologists to meet the provincial demand for years to come.”