Ovarian Cancer News
OvPlex early stage ovarian cancer diagnostic to feature on ITN News
June 2010
ITN News ran a feature on Tuesday 29th June about ovarian cancer
and the importance of early detection of the disease to save lives.
The feature centered on a new test launched in the UK in March this
year called OvPlexTM which targets symptomatic women and
is statistically significantly better than CA125 alone (the current
standard blood test) in the detection of ovarian cancer.
You can watch the video on the ITN website here.
The OvPlex test is available privately via Spire Hospitals. For
more information visit www.OvPlex.co.uk
'Genetic screening can cut deaths from ovarian cancer'
May 2010
It is now possible to predict our genetic predisposition to many
conditions. A recent Harvard study examined gene mutations in
breast cancer cells that were responsible for a lack of response to
anthracycline chemotherapy. This could pave the way for tailor-made
treatments for cancer sufferers.
It is less clear, however, whether we should advocate diagnostic
genetic testing in healthy people, unless they are at high risk.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has
recommended genetic testing for conditions such as breast cancer,
where the lifetime risk is one in three or higher, based on family
history of breast and ovarian cancers. On average, the lifetime
risk is one in nine.
Read more at
The Telegraph...
Can you help with research on cancer related fatigue?
March 2010
Researchers in Trinity College Dublin are investigating the
causes of cancer fatigue and the factors that contribute to the
development of chronic fatigue in some cancer patients. The study
is funded by the Irish Cancer Society and the IRCSET 'Embark
Initiative'.
Who can participate?
Anyone who (a) has been treated for cancer or is currently being
treated for cancer and (b) is experiencing fatigue.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves filling in a number of questionnaires about
your fatigue, the factors you believe contribute to your fatigue,
and the coping strategies you use to manage this symptom.
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate please complete this online
questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CancerFatigueStudy
If you would prefer to complete the questionnaire in hard copy
or if you would like further information, please contact the
researcher: Maria Pertl (Phone: 01 896 3083 / E-mail:
pertlm@tcd.ie).
Ovacome member Emily McArthur: Ovarian cancer didn't stop me having a baby
March 2010
I may have had cancer - twice - but I'd like to think I haven't
let it control my life. It's just that I've ended up following a
different path from the one I anticipated. While I've got to 30 the
hard way I'm now healthy.
Most incredibly of all, I have my baby daughter Molly, who is
now nine months old. I'm so lucky. Having a baby after ovarian
cancer is rare and especially so after having it twice. Molly did
more than just make me a mum she also stopped people looking at me
as simply a cancer patient.
Read more at
The Daily Express...
'We'll never forget you'
February 2010
Deborah Garrett's death from ovarian cancer at just 38
left
her family shattered - here they remember her brave fight in a
special issue of Fabulous magazine focussing on gynaecological
cancers.
Read more in Fabulous magazine...
Ovarian cancer treatment on trial
January 2010
A breakthrough in the treatment of ovarian cancer is this week
being trialled in Britain. It could save the lives of thousands of
women, medical researchers believe.
A joint British-Canadian trial of the new technique, known as
intraperitoneal chemotherapy, will be launched at Barts and The
London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Read more at
The Independent...
'I didn't want to lose my hair after chemotherapy'
January 2010
Melanie Rowland is very proud of her thick white hair.She did
not realise just how important it was to her until she risked
losing it all, during chemotherapy.
But thanks to a charity donation of a scalp cooler the
61-year-old from Surrey was able to keep the vast majority of her
hair. The machines work by lowering the temperature of the head and
scalp by a few degrees before, during and after chemotherapy.
Read more at the
BBC...
GP's surgeries to get software that spots early cancer symptoms and calculates risk
January 2010
There are more than 200 forms of cancer, and many of their
symptoms are the same as for a range of other, often less serious,
conditions. Computers could help doctors get it right more often
when deciding whether to investigate a patient further, discharge
them or refer them to hospital.
"This is helping GPs because none of us can retain this sort of
information [about cancer symptoms] and having to retain it for
bowel cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer, as well as for heart
disease, it would take a remarkable human brain to be able to do
that, so why not get computers to support it?" said Professor Mike
Richards, the government's cancer tsar.
Read more at
The Guardian
What it feels like to survive ovarian cancer
November 2009
When Ovacome member Jennifer Smith's tummy swelled up, she put
it down to overeating. It was the only sign she had a
life-threatening disease.
""I was just 40 when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. That's
pretty unusual - only 15% of cases occur in women below the age of
50. It's one of those diseases that's completely unsexy. It lacks
the trendy factor: we don't have a poster girl like Kylie Minogue.
Ask a bunch of women what to look for with breast cancer and most
will know at least a little. Ask them about ovarian cancer and the
majority won't even have heard of it, let alone know what the
symptoms are. I was one of those. "
Read more at
The Times...
Speedier tests for ovarian cancer planned
September 2009
GPs in England are to get speedier access to diagnostic tests to
help spot less clear-cut cancer cases, Prime Minister Gordon Brown
will pledge.
It will initially be targeted at lung, colorectal and ovarian
cancers, which account for more than a third of cancer deaths and
where late diagnosis is a particular problem.
Read
more at BBC News...
Ovacome comments on the OvPlex ovarian cancer detection test
September 2009
Louise Bayne, CEO of Ovacome:
"Ovacome welcomes this latest development, however we don't
anticipate that this test will be available on the NHS for some
time. If you have any questions or concerns about screening, please
contact our nurses on 0845 371 0554."
For more information, visit the OvPlex website.
On more weapon in the fight against ovarian cancer
August 2009
A genetic link to the disease, which often lies hidden until
it's so advanced that it's difficult to treat, was revealed earlier
this month.
The study involved more than 4,000 UK women and collaboration
between the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Unit at the
University of Cambridge and University College, London.
Read more in
The Mirror.
The first glimmer of hope of more tailored screening?
August 2009
A study published in Nature Genetics this week reported on a new
development in ovarian cancer genetics. They have discovered a
genetic variation, known as a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism ('SNP'
- known as a 'snip') which can increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
The scientists based at the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology
Unit, at the University of Cambridge and University College London,
have spent eight years looking at the DNA of thousands of women
with and without ovarian cancer. The area of risk DNA otherwise
known as a low penetrance gene is on chromosome 9. Louise Bayne CEO
of Ovacome said: "This is the first of the low penetrance ovarian
cancer genes - which slightly increase the risk of ovarian cancer -
to be identified and Ovacome welcomes this exciting advance."
What is a low penetrance gene?
Dr James Mackay, Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist, explains
that low penetrance genes slightly increase the risk of ovarian
cancer, whereas high penetrance genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
increase the risk much more. If you imagine a room with 1000 women
in it, and imagine they all had totally normal genes, over their
lifetimes, 10 of the women in the room would get ovarian cancer.
Now if you imagine that all the 1000 women had this new genetic
'SNP', then over a lifetime 14 of the women would get ovarian
cancer. If you imagine that they all had a BRCA gene mutation, 400
of them would get ovarian cancer. So you can see that although this
does increase the risk of ovarian cancer a little, it is a small
increase compared to some of the major genetic detections we
already know about. The really important thing about this study is
that, as more low penetrance ovarian cancer genes are identified, a
more tailored approach to screening could be provided.
Ovacome News
1230 The Women's Company - High Speed Success event in aid of Ovacome
July 2010
Join us for canapés, a glass of bubbly, entertainment and much
more, in The Champagne Bar St Pancras Grand located on the Upper
Concourse alongside the Eurostar platform of St Pancras
International on Friday 24 September. If you need an excuse to
party AND make valuable contacts - this is it! A fabulous lead into
your weekend!
A truly unique and stunning venue the glamorous St Pancras Grand
Champagne Bar is Europe's longest and is situated below the
magnificent Barlow Shed, giving full view of the amazing
architecture of this historic Victorian station as well as the
modern speed of EuroStar.
1230 The Women's Company is very honoured to be joined by our
special guest, renowned film, stage, TV and radio star Jenny
Agutter whose huge success in the Railway Children film encouraged
us to link this year's theme to railways. We are proud to have
Ovacome as our Charity Partner - the charity supporting those
affected by ovarian cancer - for the fourth year.
If you have joined us in previous years at our charity events you
will know that the entertainment is always superb - this year is no
different, and in fact the best yet, but it needs to remain a
surprise! You will love it!
This is a great opportunity to network and have some fun in a
truly amazing setting, all in an excellent cause.
Fabulous Raffle Prizes, Hand massages, goody bag items and special
offers from Neal's Yard - proceeds from this events go to
Ovacome.
Booking deadline - 20 August. For further details and to book
visit:
www.1230.co.uk or email: events@1230.co.uk or call: 020 8650
8015
Adidas 5k Women's Challenge entries now open!
May 2010
Here come the GIRLS!
On the 5th September 2010 the Adidas Women's 5k Challenge will
be held in Hyde Park, London. Team Ovacome (from the office!) run
this event every year and we always love to meet all the women
running and walking in memory of loved ones and to help raise
awareness of ovarian cancer.
Enter online at the link below or simply request an entry form
from the Ovacome office on 020 7299 6654. Entry costs £15, £5 of
which goes direct to Ovacome.
http://www.womenschallenge.co.uk/home
Congratulations to our amazing 2010 London Marathon runners!
April 2010
Thank you!
Janelle Johnson
Sarah Hanness
Laura Tollerton
Sarah Rogers
Karen Summerville
Rachel Baker
Alison Clarke
Edward Vincent
Richard Hawkes
Simon Leeson
Raymond Gee
Please note that if you would like to run for Ovacome in 2011 we
have a very limited number of Golden Bond places and would
therefore ask that anyone interested tries to obtain a place
through the general London Marathon ballot first before applying to
us.
Spring 2010 newsletter
March 2010
Ovacome's Spring 2010 newsletter is now available to download here.
'Loving for Lovers' by Ovacome member Diana Tennyson
February 2010
The joy of love and despair of loss - two sides of the same coin
and two intense feelings that Ovacome member Diana Tennyson relates
beautifully in her new collection of poems, 'Loving for
Lovers'.
Diana met Ovacome founder Sarah Dickinson at the first Ovacome
AGM in 1996 and has been a supporter ever since. She has written
several poems for friends affacted by cancer and this book,
dedicated to a friend who died of cancer eight years ago, is
her new collection focussing on love and the loss lof love.
Ovacome will receive a percentage of sales from the book which
can be purchased from the Ovacome office for £10.98 including
P&P. Please contact the office or send a cheque made payable to
'Ovacome' to the office address if you would like a copy.
Christmas support service opening hours
December 2009
The Ovacome office and support service will be closed over
Christmas from 5pm on the 23rd December to 9am on the 4th Jan.
We would like to wish all our supporters a very merry Christmas
and a happy New Year!
Ovarian cancer - are you at risk?
November 2009
Article in Best magazine featuring Ovacome member Gillian
Pinnock.
See the
whole article here.
One of Ovacome's ROCCs, Penny Lang, speaks to the BBC and the Daily Mail about her ovarian cancer journey
November 2009
Penelope, who lives in Northampton with her husband Alastair,
35, a risk manager, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October
last year. Ovarian cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer
in the UK, with about 7,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Most of
these are post-menopausal women, but many hundreds of young women
are also affected.
Penelope's experience was typical. The only sign something was
wrong was a bloated stomach. But she was one of the lucky ones: a
scan for an unrelated problem detected the rapidly-growing cancer
early, saving her life.
Read more at the Daily Mail
Listen to her interview with BBC Northampton here
Autumn/ Winter 2009 Newsletter
October 2009
Ovacome's Autumn/ Winter 2009 newsletter is now available
to download here.
Ovacome Surveys 2009
August 2009
One of Ovacome's main missions is to provide a voice for those
affected by the disease. Our surveys in the past have been widely
distributed and warmly received. Your experiences have informed the
Department of Health, as well as researchers and professional
bodies. The results have been presented at international meetings
as well as local events. Our 2006 survey remains the largest of its
kind in the UK.
In preparation for ovarian cancer awareness month 2010, we wanted
to learn more about your path to diagnosis. What was good? What
could have been done better?
We would like your help in completing two quick online surveys.
These surveys focus on what the barriers to your diagnosis were,
and how we can remove them.
One called The Ovacome GP Experience Survey, which can be found
here.
The second is called The Diagnosis Pathway Survey, which can be
found
here.
If you can, please do complete them both as they focus on
different aspects of your diagnosis experiences.
The surveys are completely anonymous; we will not be able to trace
the origins at all. Please do answer the questions as
comprehensively as possible - the more we understand, the better we
can use your experiences to help other women with ovarian
cancer.
If you have any questions, please do feel free to call us or
email us.
Thank you so much.
New Ovacome Factsheets!
August 2009
Ovacome is delighted to announce our 15 new and fully updated
information factsheets. These cover various aspects of ovarian
cancer such as types of ovarian cancer, staging and questions to
ask your doctor as well as information on topics such as symptoms,
screening, treatment options, relapse and coping with
cancer-related issues like menopause and your sexuality.
We are also pleased to be able to tell you that that all our
fact sheets have now been crystal marked by the Plain English
Campaign, an organisation dedicated to clear and concise
information in plain English.
For a full list of subjects covered or to download any of the
factsheets from our website, please click here.
You can also make a request by phone or post.
Here come the girls! The Adidas 5k 2009
August 2009
Run (or walk!) the London Adidas Women's 5k on Sept 6th in Hyde
Park in support of Ovacome and to raise awareness of ovarian
cancer! Deadline for applications is the 15th Aug.
www.womenschallenge.co.uk