What are we campaigning for?
Target Ovarian Cancer research found that nearly half of women are waiting three months or more from first approaching their GP to receiving a diagnosis.
It is vital that more women know the symptoms of ovarian cancer so they visit their GP at the earliest opportunity but also that GPs can refer women for diagnostic tests promptly and the route towards receiving a diagnosis is as short as possible.
What needs to change?
- Guidelines for diagnosing ovarian cancer: England, Wales and Northern Ireland follow guidelines that recommend women with possible symptoms of ovarian cancer are referred for a CA125 blood test. If this measures higher than normal levels of CA125 protein, GPs should then refer women for an ultrasound. In Scotland however, where different guidelines are followed, women can be referred for a CA125 blood test and an ultrasound at the same time. Target Ovarian Cancer is calling for this to be the case across the UK to speed up the time taken to diagnose ovarian cancer.
- Rapid Diagnostic Centres: The NHS Long Term Plan commits to more Rapid Diagnostic Centres being rolled out. These centres are designed to help GPs when it isn’t clear or they are not sure where to refer a patient. Target Ovarian Cancer is calling for Rapid Diagnostic Centres to be rolled out across the country and accessible to all patients with vague or less specific symptoms.
- New targets: The Faster Diagnosis Standard was set out in the The NHS Long Term Plan. The target says that all patients suspected of having cancer should have cancer diagnosed or ruled out in 28 days. Target Ovarian Cancer will continue campaigning to ensure the target is met so women who may have ovarian cancer receive a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Read related news
Blog
Friday 22 November 2019
Mike is taking on an unusual challenge in memory of his wife Pam. He tells us about his motivation to fund research to make the future better for women with ovarian cancer...
I lost my wonderful wife, Pam, to ovarian cancer. During the course of her illness, I learned how absolutely critical it is...
News
Tuesday 12 November 2019
Today we've released new research on how much women know about breast cancer and ovarian cancer symptoms.
Just 20 per cent of UK women can name bloating as a key ovarian cancer symptom. Over three times more (71 per cent of GB women) can name a lump (in the breast, armpit or generally) as a key...
News
Thursday 31 October 2019
Public cancer awareness campaigns do work, according to encouraging evidence published this week. Target Ovarian Cancer has had a first look at results from a Be Clear on Cancer awareness campaign featuring a key symptom of ovarian cancer - bloating. The campaign ran in North West England from...
News
Friday 11 October 2019
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) today announced a third ovarian cancer drug, PARP inhibitor rucaparib (Rubraca®), is now available to women with ovarian cancer from after a second round of chemotherapy. It will be available both for women who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2...