The 2012 Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study
The results of the 2012 Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study were launched in January 2013, in the House of Commons.
Public Health Minister, Anna Soubry MP spoke at the event hosted by Sharon Hodgson MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ovarian Cancer. Also in attendance were an audience of women with ovarian cancer, policy makers, public health officials, GPs, clinical commissioning groups, representatives of cancer networks and hospital trusts, Clinical Nurse Specialists, clinicians, and members of the APPG.
You can download the short report of the study here (32 pages). Alternatively you can read the full Ipsos MORI report (121 pages) here. If you want any further information about content of the reports (which must be credited if used externally) please email us.
The launch event in particular highlighted the following three issues:
Delays in diagnosis:
- One in four women wait three months or more before visiting their GP
- One in three women wait six months or more from first visiting their GP, before getting a correct diagnosis
- One in ten GPs has had tests for ovarian cancer refused in the last 12 months
The current financial climate is impacting negatively on the ability of Clinical Nurse Specialists to support women with ovarian cancer:
- Over half of CNSs are able to support women at only one point on the patient pathway, usually diagnosis
- Women have even greater support needs at other points along the patient pathway, for example once treatment has ended
- CNSs have less time with patients due to increasing demands to carry out admin and general ward duties
The fall in the number of women being offered clinical trials:
- The proportion of women for whom the possibility of clinical trials was discussed fell from 37% in 2009 to 30% in 2012. This is despite it being enshrined in the NHS Constitution and despite 90% of women being willing to consider taking part.
Target Ovarian Cancer Chief Executive Annwen Jones laid out a series of actions, and ways in which Target Ovarian Cancer can support NHS bodies to improve both survival and quality of life for women.
