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Target Ovarian Cancer has launched the biggest ever study of the experiences of women with ovarian cancer in the UK and the health professionals, including nurses and doctors, who help them. Health professionals working with women with ovarian cancer are invited to take part as quickly as possible. Hundreds of participants are needed now and ultimately, thousands will be involved. The aim of the study is to find out what improvements can be made to save more lives.
Ovarian cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women, has one of the worst survival rates of any cancer and is dubbed the silent killer because of the difficulty in distinguishing the symptoms from other conditions. Of the 6,800 women diagnosed in Britain every year - most of whom are over the age of 40 - 30 per cent will not survive beyond 12 months. After five years, the picture is more bleak, with just 30 per cent still alive - a death toll of 5,000 women a year. Shamefully, Britain has one of the worst ovarian cancer survival rates in Europe.
It is the lack of early diagnosis which is proving fatal for women with ovarian cancer. The key symptoms for ovarian cancer, particularly in the early stages, can be mistaken for less serious complaints. It is an aggressive disease and health experts estimate there is only a window of twelve months from first symptoms to the point at which it spreads into other organs. If ovarian cancer is diagnosed early it is a very treatable disease.
If you want to help Target Ovarian Cancer improve the life chances and life quality of women with ovarian cancer and want to see crucial improvements in the diagnosis, care and treatment of women with ovarian cancer, make sure your voice is heard.
The Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study will track the journeys of thousands of women from diagnosis through scans, surgery and drug regimes. Sign up for the study today by emailing Frances Reid, the Director of Public Affairs at Target Ovarian Cancer at info@targetovarian.org.uk or by phoning 020 7923 5470. Alternatively, those interested can visit www.targetovarian.org.uk/pathfinder. Women with ovarian cancer can register and health professionals can fill in short surveys online.
Edited: Jun 22, 2009 @ 6.17pm