Awareness of ovarian cancer is low, both among the public and healthcare professionals. The annual essay prize competition, supported by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), is an opportunity for students to learn more about a disease that over 7,000 women are diagnosed with in the UK each year.
There is also the chance to win one of three cash prizes – £750, £500, and £250 – and a certificate from the RCOG, demonstrating to future employers your commitment to medicine and your professional development.
Charlotte Yu, a 5th year medical student at King's College London - GKT School of Medical Education, and one of last year’s winners said:
The essay questions were very interesting, particularly as they related to primary care and how potential improvements to the diagnostic process of ovarian cancer could be made. When researching the use of CA125 diagnostically, I realised how little has progressed in our utilisation of this biomarker in the last 40 years.
“I think that this is a great opportunity to research into and think more deeply about ovarian cancer - not only learning about it as a condition, but also on how we can suggest improvements to its management.”
Students will be able to choose between three questions, each focusing on a specific area within ovarian cancer research, to write a 2000 word referenced essay. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 25 June 2023.
Professor Debbie Sharp OBE, Chair of the Target Ovarian Cancer essay prize, said:
We received 90 submissions last year and the standard of essays were incredibly high, demonstrating the wealth of talent and skills that our clinicians of the future have to offer.
“The essay prize is an excellent opportunity for medical students to take a deep dive into ovarian cancer, expanding their knowledge of symptoms, testing, and research to ensure that more women enter the correct diagnostic pathway sooner – saving more lives. It is so important that we nurture this interest to support our work in transforming the lives of all those affected by ovarian cancer.”
Another winner of the 2022 competition is Anna Armstrong, a 2nd year medical student at the University of Southampton. She said: “While researching, I found the sheer breadth of symptoms that ovarian cancer can present with so interesting, especially ones that can commonly be put down to factors such as stress, menopause or ageing.
I know I will be quicker to think of it as a differential when diagnosing in the future. For anyone thinking about entering this year, I would say just give it a go! Prize or not, you learn lots about an underdiagnosed disease and improve your future practice.
Find out more and read the three questions for this year’s essay prize today.
