In September 2001, in recognition of the impact of ovarian cancer on Australian women, the Federal Government committed funding to improve the health outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. The National Breast Cancer Centre* was chosen to manage a national ovarian cancer initiative. The Ovarian Cancer Program is now an integral component of the NBOCC’s work plans.
The work of the Ovarian Cancer Program covers all aspects of ovarian cancer, from risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis to the multidisciplinary treatment of women with ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose and the Ovarian Cancer Program supports any research that will help doctors to differentiate the symptoms which may be ovarian cancer, from symptoms of benign conditions.
To help raise awareness and improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre’s Ovarian Cancer Program:
- Has worked with the Australian Cancer Network to develop for clinicians, the Clinical practice guidelines for the management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer to ensure that all women receive care based on the best possible evidence.
- Has developed consumer guidelines to provide comprehensive, evidence-based information for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
- Has developed a guide for general practitioners to assist them with the often difficult assessment and investigation of women with symptoms that may be ovarian cancer.
- Commissioned a review of the research evidence about risk factors for ovarian cancer, to identify awareness messages.
- Works with researchers, specialists and general practitioners, consumers and ovarian cancer consumer groups to develop information for women in the community and to ensure that messages about ovarian cancer are clear, consistent and evidence-based.
* In February 2008, National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) changed its name to National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC).
