Ovarian Cancer News
CHARITIES UNITE FOR FIRST EVER WORLD OVARIAN CANCER DAY
April 2013
An international day of awareness
Wednesday 8th May 2013 is the inaugural World Ovarian Cancer Day. Charities Target Ovarian Cancer, Ovarian Cancer Action, The Eve Appeal and Ovacome have come together to support this initiative, working together to raise awareness with the UK population.
Globally, 27 ovarian cancer organisations from 17 countries around the world have united to help educate their communities about ovarian cancer and its symptoms. For women living with the disease, and their families and friends, World Ovarian Cancer Day will build a sense of solidarity in the fight against ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women globally, and is responsible for 140,000 deaths each year. Statistics show that just 45% of women with ovarian cancer are likely to survive for five years compared to up to 89% of women with breast cancer. In the UK, 7,000 women are diagnosed each year, and 4,300 women lose their lives each year. The UK has amongst the lowest survival rates in Europe.
A spokesperson representing the charities, said: “Realising a World Ovarian Cancer Day is remarkable, and we’re delighted that the UK is taking part. Uniting organisations around the globe with a focused message for the first time ever in support of ovarian cancer will get the attention that this disease needs. When people join together great things happen. Look at the success of breast cancer over the last 15 years – see what they have accomplished – it is time for ovarian cancer now.”
For more information on World Ovarian Cancer Day visit: www.ovariancancerday.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WorldOvarianCancerDay
Twitter: @OvarianCancerDY
Pinterest: @OvarianCancerDY
Can you help with an online survey?
October 2012
Earlier this year a market research company requested some help
from women affected by PSOC (Platinum Sensitive Ovarian Cancer)to
take part in some telephone interviews as part of the development
of a new treatment, and are very grateful for the assistance they
received. They are now about to start a second phase of the
same study and would like to invite women affected by PSOC to take
part in an online survey to talk about your experiences and
perspectives of the treatments you take. The questionnaire should
take no longer than 30 minutes of your time. In return for you time
we would like to offer you £55 reimbursement. The information that
you give will be helpful in the development of this new treatment.
We will not pass your details on to any third parties and will
treat the information that you give with respect and with strict
confidentiality. We follow MRS and BHBIA codes of conduct.
If you would like some further information please contact Lucy
at: lucy.doorbar@ldaresearch.co.uk
or 01525 714775
Many thanks.
Ovarian cancer: why don't we ever talk about it?
September 2012
"Women need to heed the muted or misunderstood symptoms of
ovarian cancer, and to agitate for early detection tools. We must
save our successors from an undetectable and then unfixable
condition that continues to threaten the health and welfare of
future generations."
Read more from
The Guardian
When a weak bladder is a telltale sign you may have ovarian cancer
July 2012
While many women might recognise symptoms such as bloating
and stomach pain, experts warn that too few of us know that needing
to urinate more often can also be a warning sign of the
disease.
Around 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every
year, and those over 50 are more at risk.
Read more in the Daily Mail
Do you have recurrent platinum sensitive ovarian cancer?
May 2012
A market research company is carrying out a series of
interviews as part of the development of a new treatment and would
like to talk to women affected by PSOC about how the condition
effects your life and about the side effects of the treatments you
take.
We would like to talk to you on the phone or in person
(whichever you are most comfortable with) for up to an hour. You
would receive a small honorarium for your time and the information
that you give will be helpful in the development of this treatment.
All interviews will be carried out by Rachel Lewington, a director
at LDA Research. We will not pass your details on to any third
parties and will treat the information that you give with respect
and with strict confidentiality. We follow MRS and BHBIA codes of
conduct.
If you would like some further information please contact
Rachel at: rachel.lewington@ldaresearch.co.uk. Many
thanks.
Avastin recieves approval to treat ovarian cancer
January 2012
Avastin® (bevacizumab) has received approval to treat ovarian
cancer. It is the first new medicine for 15 years and has been
shown to halts ovarian cancer for six months more than chemotherapy
alone.
Ovarian
Cancer Drug 'Heralds New Era Of Hope'
Louise Bayne, chief executive of the charity Ovacome said: "This
heralds a new era of hope for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer,
who have previously been faced with a devastating diagnosis plus a
lack of innovative treatments. We are delighted that Avastin is now
available to women across the country."
You can download the full press release on Avastin from
pharmaceutical company Roche
here (PDF).
You can watch Ovacome member Sue talk about her experience with
Avastin on ITV's Daybreak here
(about 1h in).
Listen to Louise Bayne and Sue talk about Avastin and ovarian
cancer on BBC Sussex here (about 1h
52m in).
Listen to Dr Tim Perrin talk about Avastin on Woman's Hour here.
2nd Annual Cancer Care Congress
September 2011
27th -29th September
Royal College of Surgeons, London
www.cancercarecongress.com
Following 2010's congress which attracted over 200 attendees and
more than 50 expert presenters, join the UK's leading cancer policy
makers and practitioners at the 2nd Annual Cancer Care Congress
2011.
For the full agenda, visit www.cancercarecongress.com. Learn the
latest innovations, challenges and policy repercussions in cancer
care across the whole pathway of cancer from early diagnosis to end
of life care. Discover in-depth analysis on the new commissioning
process, a focus on clinical cancer drug research and details of
the Cancer Drug Fund.
Hear from over 50 cancer care pioneers including:
- Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for
Cancer and End of Life Care, Department of Health
- Dr David Gonzalez de Castro, Head of Molecular Diagnostics, The
Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden NHS Foundation
Trust
- Anthony Brzezicki, GP, South London NHS
- Professor Adrian Newland CBE, Medical Director, North East
London Cancer Network
- Kate Caston, Director, East Midlands Specialised Commissioning
Group
- Jane Sykes, Acting Director of Nursing & Governance, The
Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Denis Remedios, Chair of the RCR Guidelines Working Party and
Consultant Radiologist Northwick Park Hospital
- Dr Jane Povey, Clinical Engagement Director Department of
Health
- Professor Peter Johnson, Chief Clinician, Cancer Research
UK
- Dr Chris Bradley, Consultant Medical Oncologist & Lead
Clinician for Cancer Services, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NH
Foundation Trust and Chair, Acute Oncology Group, Yorkshire Cancer
Network
Download the current programme here.
**Please quote Ovacome's unique VIP code DIS-J102-OVA-25
when booking to claim 25% discount off the standard delegate fee.
Call 0845 056 8299 or email
cancercarecongress@emap.com to book**
Gene discovery to identify women with cancer risk
August 2011
Louise Bayne, CEO of Ovacome, comments in the Independent on the
discovery of a single genetic fault in a gene that normally helps
the body to repair its DNA, which increases a woman's risk of
ovarian cancer six-fold:
"This new discovery is greatly welcomed by the ovarian cancer
community, as it helps to unravel a little more of the complicated
ovarian cancer story and offers hope for better treatments in the
future."
Read more...
'My ongoing battle with ovarian cancer' (The Telegraph)
February 2011
On the eve of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Jane Kelly
describes her battle to keep hope alive while, all around,
specialists pile on the bad news.
Read more at
The Telegraph.
Ovacome News
'What's new in ovarian cancer' a talk by Professor Poole.
May 2013
Thurday 9th May 7.00pm - 9.00pm at Solihull Cancer Support Group.
Marie Curie Hospice
Marsh Lane
Solihull
B91 2PQ
All Welcome, for more information about the meeting please contact the Ovacome office on 0207 299 6654.
Defining quality in ovarian cancer services: the patient perspective
April 2013
Read our latest report ‘Defining quality in ovarian cancer services: the patient perspective’ published after a meeting with a group of patients and carers to find out what matters to them and to identify actions which could help to improve the quality of services for ovarian cancer patients.
Contributions from the Ovacome forum were also reviewed and the testimonies from women and carers at the workshop and from the forum helped to assess the current quality standard. This report focuses on four key areas on the patient pathway:
- Awareness and early diagnosis
- Information and support
- Treatment and care
- Living with and beyond cancer
The report includes recommendations across the patient pathway that should help to achieve improvements both in overall survival and patient experience. You can read the full report here.
Ovacome drop in afternoon, March 21st
March 2013
Join our drop in event at our HQ for tea, cake and chat on Thursday 21st March @ 2.30pm - 4.00pm.
Location: Ovacome offices, Suite B5 New City Cloisters, 196 Old Street, London EC1V 9FR.
For more info get in touch on 0207 299 6654 or email ovacome@ovacome.org.uk
Short survey: Impact of ovarian cancer on sexual activity
February 2013
We have had a request to promote a short survey on the impact ovarian cancer has had on sexual activity. We know from previous research and studies that this is an aspect of survivorship which is of great importance and significance, yet is rarely discussed and is poorly understood. We hope that by supporting the survey this can start to change.
Please be aware the survey asks some very personal questions, however it is absolutely anonymous.
Dr Sarah Blagden
Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (IRDB),
Division of Cancer Department of Surgery and Cancer Faculty of Medicine,
Imperial College London Hammersmith Campus,
Du Cane Road,
London W12 0NN
Thank you.
Ovacome's Spring Newsletter 2013 is now available
February 2013
The spring 2013 edition of the Ovacome magazine is now available to read or download here.
Look out for the March issue of Choice Magazine
February 2013
A fantastic article about ovarian cancer awareness month, the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and our work to BEAT ovarian cancer.
Read the full article here
PROMISE 16: Do you have a strong ‘family history’ of ovarian cancer?
February 2013
If so you may be able to help with a research project. We are researchers from University College London and this study is supported by Ovacome and funded by Cancer Research UK and The Eve Appeal Gynaecological Cancer Research Fund.
If you do not have cancer but have been told you have a high risk of developing ovarian cancer we would like to interview you on the telephone for a research study called PROMISE 16. In the interview part of the study we want to find out about attitudes to monitoring for ovarian cancer based on a woman’s level of risk of developing the cancer. Depending on risk level for ovarian cancer, in the research project women would receive different levels of monitoring for its early detection.
You may have been told you have a genetic alteration that puts you at high risk, or you may have a strong ‘family history’ with ovarian cancer in two close relatives (mother, sister, daughter). Or you may have one close relative with ovarian cancer, and, on the same side of the family: one close relative who had breast cancer before age 50; or two close relatives who had breast cancer before age 60; or three close relatives who had bowel or womb (uterus) cancer.
If you have a strong ‘family history’, we would be pleased to hear from you or another female member of your family who also does not have cancer.
If you are interested in taking part in the research and would like to hear more about the study and what the interview would entail please contact:
Belinda Rahman
Research Assistant
Institute for Women's Health
UniversityCollegeLondon
1st Floor Maple House
149 Tottenham Court Road
London, W1T 7 DN
Tel: 0203 447 9574
Email: belinda.rahman@ucl.ac.uk
Teal Tips: Nailing fundraising
February 2013
Ovacome is delighted that Barry M is its partner for this year’s Teal Tips campaign: the charity’s big push to raise money and awareness during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 2013.
During March, the nail polish supplier will make a £1.25 donation to Ovacome on all online purchases of its £3.99 Watermelon Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint made on its website www.barrym.com.
The idea is that by wearing this standout shade it will spark conversations about ovarian cancer, which still far too few people know the symptoms of. For teal is the colour of ovarian cancer as pink is for breast cancer. Teal Tips gives women the ideal opportunity to talk about Ovacome’s BEAT easy to remember acronym of the main signs of ovarian cancer: B is for bloating that does not come and go; E is for eating less and feeling fuller quicker; A is for abdominal pain and T is for telling your GP.
Teal Tips also gives members a wider fundraising theme. It can be at the centre of teal-themed parties, or manicure gatherings. It can feature in ‘Teal Tuesday’ events in which members could arrange for teal dressed days on any of the four Tuesdays in March at their workplace, or in an obliging school or college. It also allows for beauty salons to get involved, by offering teal manicures with a donation going to Ovacome. And we can help participating salons and members to get press support and to give them awareness material to make a real success of any event.
Ovacome is excited that by partnering with Barry M it is reaching out to a younger audience with its BEAT message. “Barry M is popular with younger women who we need to educate about the symptoms of ovarian cancer before they reach the higher risk age,” says Ovacome’s chief executive Louise Bayne. “ It gives Teal Tips a fashionable varnish which older women can have fun with too while supporting a very important cause.”
Barry M Cosmetics says it is pleased to be supporting Ovacome with this spring’s “ideal go-to colour”. Its marketing manager, Caroline Dawe, says. “It is suitable for all skin tones and easily worn with everything. Its cheerful, bright tone is the perfect pick-me-up. That’s why we are so pleased to be involved in this year’s Ovacome Teal Tips campaign to help raise awareness of ovarian cancer. According to Ovacome, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in the UK so we’re happy to help raise awareness using this bold colour for an especially bold cause.”
● The press is interested in running stories on members supporting Ovacome’s Teal Tips campaign and if you are prepared to share your experience with us we can approach your local paper, to arrange for an interview and photography to spread the awareness message. If you can help in this way e-mail julietmorrison@btconnect.com
If you would like to be sent awareness material contact Sonia Vig in Ovacome’s office by e-mail s.vig@ovacome.org.uk or by phone 020 7299 6654.
Autumn / Winter 2012 issue of the Ovacome magazine now available
November 2012
The autumn / winter 2012 edition of the Ovacome magazine is now available to read or download here.
Avastin in Scotland: an open letter from Ovacome
October 2012
On 10th October 2012, Ovacome, in collaboration with other
gynaecological charities and healthcare professional, published an
open letter in the Scotsman, calling on Alex Neil MSP (Cabinet
Secretary for Health and Well-Being) to express our concern
following the decision by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC)
not to approve the availability of bevacizumab (Avastin) for women
with ovarian cancer in Scotland.
A copy of the letter can be downloaded here.
(Word)
We are calling on all our members to write to Ovacome if you
feel you support the action as the letter is calling for. Then all
of your letters can be sent on to Mr Neil too to help with getting
the situation changed.
If you are affected by this issue in Scotland and would like to
add your voice to ours, please forward your letter to:
Ovacome, B5 City Cloisters, 196 Old Street, London
EC1V 9FR
Or email us at ovacome@ovacome.org.uk
Thank you for your support.
Ovarian cancer survival poor in UK, study finds
October 2012
Research suggests standard of treatment compared to
similar countries is a problem rather than women delaying going to
GPs.
Read more...
Digital Campaign of the Week: Ovacome
August 2012
We are very pleased that the iBook version of Holding Onto
Hope is Third Sector's Digital Campaign of the Week!
Read more from Third Sector
here.
Download the book from iTunes for just £2.49
here.
Holding Onto Hope now available on iTunes
August 2012
The digital version of our Holding Onto Hope book is now
available to download from iTunes for your iPad, for just
£2.49!
Click
here to purchase.
Volunteers needed in London and Birmingham!
July 2012
Could you help us man a stand at the Nursing in Practice
exhibition in London on 18th September or in Birmingham on 13th
November? Travel expenses and lunch will be covered and you don't
have to be there for the whole day, just an hour or two is helpful!
Email Ruth at r.payne@ovacome.org.uk for a chat if
you think you can help. Thank you!
Summer 2012 Ovacome magazine
July 2012
The summer 2012 edition of the Ovacome magazine is now available
to read or download here.
Ovacome Services Survey
April 2012
Do you use Ovacome's services? Would you be able to help us
improve by filling in a short questionnaire?
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6J9YSKP
Thank you for your time.
Ovacome Magazine - Spring 2012
March 2012
The spring 2012 edition of the Ovacome magazine is now available
to read or download here.
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 2012
February 2012
Teal Tips takes off!
We are calling on all our members to join celebrities Carol
Vorderman, Terri Dwyer, Sam Siddall and our patron Jenny Agutter in
getting behind ourTeal Tips campaign this March, to mark Ovarian
Cancer Awareness Month 2012.
For more information on how to get involved, click here.
Have you used our patient information?
February 2012
We need your feedback!
If you have used our factsheets, we would like your feedback in
order to help us improve our patient information.
Some questions you might like to consider are:
Did you download them or did you we send you them in the
post?
Did they give you the information you needed?
Is their language clear?
Is their format accessible for you?
Can you suggest ways the fact sheets can be improved?
Your answers can be emailed to r.grigg@ovacome.org.uk
Thank you for your help!
Holding Onto Hope photographic exhibition
January 2012
Come and support Ovacome at our Holding Onto Hope photographic
exhibition at the Menier Gallery in London on the 1st & 3rd
March.
Click here to download
the PDF flyer.
Volunteers wanted in Glasgow
January 2012
On 28th February this year we will be taking part in the Nursing
in Practice event in Glasgow and we are looking for volunteers who
are able to help us for the whole or part of the day. Local travel
expenses and lunch will be paid.
For more information please contact Ruth Payne on 020 7299 6650
or at r.payne@ovacome.org.uk Wed - Fri.
Thanks!
Christmas Opening Hours
December 2011
The Ovacome office and support services will be closed over
Christmas from 5pm on the 23rd December to 9am on the 3rd
January
We would like to wish all our members, friends and supporters a
very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Autumn/Winter 2011 Magazine
October 2011
The autumn/winter 2011 edition of the Ovacome magazine is now
available to read or download here.
Can you help Ovacome with a survey?
October 2011
Ovacome is currently conducting a survey to see how we are
perceieved by the users of our website and other services, and we
would be grateful for your help in filling out a quick survey. We
do not ask for your name and all responses are kept strictly
confidential.
If you would like to help, please
click here to take the survey.
Thank you for your help!
Ovacome younger women's ovarian cancer support group - October meeting
September 2011
Ovacome holds a regular support group for women under 45 at the Maggie's Centre in London, in the grounds of Charing Cross Hospital near Hammersmith tube station.
Meetings take place on the 1st Wednesday of every month from 6.30 - 8.30pm and offers speakers, support and the chance for discussion and connection with other young ovarian cancer patients.
October's speaker will be discussing the menopause.
You do not need to book a place, just turn up on the night or give Ovaconme a call on 0845 371 0554 and let us know you'll be coming. Partners and friends are welcome and refreshments will be provided.
Adidas Women's 5k 2011
July 2011
Registration is now open for the Adidas 5K women's challenge
which takes place in Hyde Park on Sunday 11th September 2011.
Join the Ovacome team and walk or run the 5km and raise
sponsorship money to help Ovacome to continue to support all those
affected by ovarian cancer.
It costs £15 each (£5 of which is donated to Ovacome). Once
registered, we will provide all the fundraising advice and support
you might need, including t-shirts and tips on how to collect
sponsorship.
To register, go to http://www.womenschallenge.co.uk/home
and don't forget to choose Ovacome as your selected charity - or
call Sonia on 020 7299 6654 for more details.
Younger Women's Support Group July Meeting
July 2011
We are pleased to announce that the third meeting of the younger
women's group will be taking place on the Wednesday 6th July
6.30-8.30pm at Maggie's Centre West London.
Refreshments will be provided. Please call the Ovacome office on
0845 3710554 for further information.
Summer 2011 Magazine
June 2011
The summer 2011 edition of the Ovacome magazine is now available
to read or download here.
Join our 2012 Olympic event!
June 2011
Interested in running the 2012 Olympic course in London to raise awareness of ovarian cancer or becoming an Olympic torch bearer for Ovacome?
Join our 2012 Olympic event!
Younger Women's Support Group
May 2011
We are pleased to announce that the second meeting of the younger women's group will be taking place on the Wednesday 1st June 6.30-8.30pm at Maggie's Centre West London.
Refreshments will be provided. Please call the Ovacome office on 0845 3710554 for further information.
Spring 2011 Magazine
March 2011
The spring 2011 edition of the Ovacome magazine is now available to read or download here
.
Teal Tips for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 2011
March 2011
Leading professional nailcare brand OPI has teamed up with Ovacome to launch Teal Tips: an initiative to encourage women to wear teal coloured nail polish and prompt awareness of the fourth most common cancer affecting women in the UK. OPI is donating £1 to Ovacome for each bottle of its Ski Teal We Drop shade it sells during March!
Click for more details.
