The Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study
The first results were launched at a House of Commons event on June 29th 2009
The event, hosted by Sharon Hodgson MP, included speeches from Health Minister, Ann Keen MP, and Shadow Health Minister Mark Simmonds MP. More details on our news pages.
Coverage of the study has already appeared in the Guardian newspaper, Daily Mail, BBC Radio 4 Today programme and Radio Five Live, GMTV, Sky News, Channel 5 News and seven regional TV stations. To see some of the coverage, follow the links on the right hand side.
About the study
The Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study, conducted by the research agency Synovate, is a major piece of work that for the first time:
- Maps the experiences of those living with, and working with ovarian cancer in the UK on an ongoing basis
- Identifies areas of unmet need and untapped opportunities in research, treatment, care and information that offer the potential to improve survival and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer
- Provides a shared evidence base that others can use to inform their activities
- Brings together, in close collaboration, patients, healthcare professionals, medical researchers and other organisations to achieve this complex and challenging task
In addition to providing a robust evidence base, this work will ensure that work undertaken by Target Ovarian Cancer is clearly focused on addressing unmet need, with a view to achieving our aim of a long and good life for every woman with ovarian cancer. This study will continue over a number of years, and we hope will be able to provide much needed evidence of improvements occurring in survival and quality of life. It is unprecedented in its scale and scope in this or most other diseases.
Advisory Panel
An Advisory Panel of independent experts, who are drawn from a range of organisations, professions and interest groups has overseen the development of the different elements of the study. They have also helped to identify the key challenges and opportunities to improve survival and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer by reviewing the initial results. Click here to see the members of the advisory panel.
Women with ovarian cancer and Clinical Nurse Specialists can still take part
We want as many women and Clinical Nurse Specialists as possible to have the chance to contribute to the ongoing study, that will add to the current evidence base. If you would like to take part, please register following the link on the right hand side of the page.
For nurses, there is an online survey. Every response is valuable as it will increase the strength of the study, and help us accurately identify priorities. Contact us to find out how to take part.
If you are a clinician (surgeon or oncologist), a GP, or another form of nurse who works with ovarian cancer patients, please do get in touch as we will be developing the next phase of work in these areas shortly.
The value of the study
“Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with low survival rates that have changed little over the past twenty years. There is so much that can be done to improve this situation and to give women with ovarian cancer across the UK the highest possible quality of life. I applaud Target Ovarian Cancer for its strategic approach to understanding and tackling this disease, through the Pathfinder Study, and for providing substantial new funds to combat this disease”.
Professor Sir Kenneth Calman PhD MD FRCS FRCP
“I strongly welcome the launch of The Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study, the most comprehensive account to date of the ovarian cancer pathway in this country. The findings of the Study should make a significant contribution to our understanding of how we can accelerate progress in improving survival and quality of life for all women with ovarian cancer throughout the UK. By bringing people together, it should also stimulate greater collaboration between groups, which is of critical importance”.
Dr Ian Gibson, former MP and former Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer
“I wish Target Ovarian Cancer well in its important work. Ovarian cancer is a challenging disease to diagnose and treat, and it is essential that we continue to work together at every stage of the disease. Groups such as Target Ovarian Cancer can help drive forward progress in improving the accuracy of referrals, access to diagnostic tests and caring for women living with the disease”.
Dr Sarah Jarvis GP, and RCGP Spokesperson on Women’s Health
