First National Report Supports New Initiatives in Ovarian Cancer
Sunday 10 February 2002
A new report highlights
the potential for new initiatives to improve outcomes for women
with ovarian cancer, a disease which causes 770 deaths in Australian
women each year.
Federal Minister for Health
and Ageing, the Hon. Kay Patterson, said the report marks the first
time data have been complied Australia-wide and will form a basis
for establishing priorities in ovarian cancer control.
"Each year 1200 women
are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer and it is essential to ensure
all Australian women diagnosed with the disease are receiving care
based on the best available evidence," said Dr Patterson.
Report author and epidemiologist,
Dr Anne Kricker, said the five-year relative survival after diagnosis
of ovarian cancer is 42%.
The report Ovarian Cancer
in Australian Women found that unlike some cancers in women, ovarian
cancer generally has a more favourable outlook for younger women.
"About 20% of women
with ovarian cancer are under 50-years of age but survival at these
ages is better than in older women," said Dr Kricker.
The report, also demonstrated
that there is considerable variation across Australia in the way
that data about ovarian cancer are currently collected.
"More consistent
national data about ovarian cancer would enhance our understanding
of the disease in Australia," said Dr Kricker.
The Minister said these
and other data prompted the Commonwealth to establish the National
Ovarian Cancer Centre in late 2001. Funding of $500,000 over two
years was provided to the National Breast Cancer Centre to undertake
the initiative.
The National Ovarian Cancer
Centre will implement a range of strategies to improve outcomes
for women. The Centre will assist in the development and adoption
of clinical practice guidelines to ensure all women receive care
based on the best available evidence. It will also provide consumer
information to assist women diagnosed with the disease and promote
a multidisciplinary approach to care.
The report Ovarian Cancer
in Australian Women, which coincides with the national launch of
Ovarian Cancer Week today, can be accessed on the Centre's web site
at www.nbcc.org.au.
For media interviews about
the report call Debra Lee on 0417 227 295.
For information about Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Week, which will be launched in Sydney today call Simon Lee on 0402 444 818
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