Australia's first clinical guidelines for ovarian cancer now available
9 July 2004
Australia's first guidelines for health practitioners involved in caring for women with ovarian
cancer will be officially launched by The Hon Trish Worth, Federal Member for Adelaide, in Adelaide on Thursday 15 July.
The Clinical practice guidelines for the management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer were
developed by the National Breast Cancer Centre's Ovarian Cancer Program and Australian Cancer
Network.
"Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer generally have a poor prognosis, and the impact on women and their families is profound.
These guidelines will mark a new era in improving care and support for these women", said Ms Worth, parliamentary secretary to the
Minister for Health.
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancy in Australia, and Australian women have
about a 1 in 100 chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Seventy five percent of women are diagnosed
in the advanced stage of the disease, when treatment is less effective.
However, when women are diagnosed at an earlier stage and receive the best possible treatment, as recommended in the guidelines,
outcomes are improved.
Chair of the guidelines and Director of Gynaecological Oncology at Royal Adelaide Hospital, Dr Margaret Davy AM, said,
"The guidelines are an important step in addressing the information gap about ovarian cancer for clinicians.
They will raise awareness and promote optimal treatment for women with ovarian cancer."
A study of women in Victoria found that currently less than 50 per cent of women with ovarian cancer receive the optimal approach to care.
The guidelines recommend that the optimal situation for women with ovarian cancer is that they are treated by a gynaecological
oncologist in a multidisciplinary care setting.
"All members of the multidisciplinary care team need to work together to ensure that women with ovarian cancer receive the best
possible treatment and supportive care," said Dr Davy.
The guidelines will be launched at the first in a national series of seminars for clinicians to raise awareness about the
guidelines and to encourage adoption of the recommendations.
The Ovarian Cancer Program is an initiative of the National Breast Cancer Centre and is funded by the Australian Government
Department of Health and Ageing. The Ovarian Cancer Program works with women, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and
governments to improve health outcomes for women with ovarian cancer.
The Australian Cancer Network was established by The Cancer Council Australia. The Australian Cancer Network works to improve
cancer management in Australia and to promote collaboration between and with professional bodies across the spectrum from basic
science through medical and nursing care to public health.
Media inquiries: Kirrily Martin: 02 9036 3036 or 0438 209 833
To download a copy of the guidelines
click here.
|
