Introduction: An overview of ovarian cancer
Alison Bloomer, GM editor
• What is ovarian cancer?
• Risk factors
• Symptoms
• Prevalence
• Screening
• Diagnosis
Ovarian cancer and primary care
Louise Newson, GP
Historically, ovarian cancer has been referred to as the “silent killer” because it was believed that no symptoms were evident in early disease. Overall the five year survival rate from ovarian cancer is poor at around 30-40%. For women diagnosed with early stage disease, the five year survival rate is over 70%, but only a fifth of cases are diagnosed early.* Primary care plays an important role in early detection of ovarian cancer. This article will look at:
• The important role of primary care
• Red flags
• When to refer?
• Testing
• Management in primary care
New advances in the management of ovarian cancer
Alison Bloomer, GM editor
There have been a number of new advances in the field of ovarian cancer from how new information about how much BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase ovarian cancer risk is helping women make practical decisions about prevention to early detection strategies. There have also been a number of new targeted treatment options. This article will look at:
• Stages of ovarian cancer
• Current treatment options
• New advances
• Guidelines
The role of research: an article from Ovarian Cancer Action
Ovarian Cancer Action strives to stop women dying from ovarian cancer by funding world-class scientific research leading to innovative treatment and progressive solutions. This article will look at:
• How the charity is working to beat ovarian cancer sooner
• Screening programmes
• Research projects
• Challenges of chemotherapy
• Why does it keep coming back?
*Ref: http://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b3286