Trinity Joins National Groups to Support Third Annual World Ovarian Cancer Day

Posted on: 07 May 2015

Trinity investigators have joined with national agencies to support a global awareness initiative for ovarian cancer to mark the third annual World Ovarian Cancer Day which takes place today, Friday, May 8th 2015.

Ireland has one of the highest mortalities in Europe from ovarian cancer. According to the latest report from the National Cancer Registry, an average of 360 new cases present in Ireland each year and there are 276 deaths from the disease. 70% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer die within 5 years. It is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women globally, and is responsible for over 150,000 deaths each year.

John O’Leary, Professor of Pathology in Trinity College Dublin detailed a new initiative whereby researchers, clinicians and charities from across Ireland have come together to form the Irish National Network for Ovarian Cancer Collaboration [INNOVATION] http://www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/page/o/146. The mission of INNOVATION is the integration of patient clinical management with cutting edge research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Sharon O’Toole, Senior Research Fellow in Trinity College Dublin welcomes the global initiative. She said: “Currently, unlike cervical cancer, there is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. Although ovarian cancer can be a deadly disease, if it is diagnosed at the earliest stage it can be treated effectively with surgery and chemotherapy, leading to survival rates of up to 90%. If we are to improve on poor outcomes for our women, ovarian cancer needs to be detected earlier. That means that women and GPs need to be on the lookout for early signs and symptoms. Further research is also necessary and the formation of INNOVATION will allow the clinical challenges of ovarian cancer to be addressed.”

World Ovarian Cancer Day is also being promoted in Ireland by three Ovarian Cancer charities: Supporting Ovarian Cancer Knowledge (SOCK), OvaCare and the Emer Casey Foundation. These charities are being joined by national organisations, INNOVATION, the Irish College of General Practitioners, the National Cancer Registry, the National Cancer Control Programme, the Irish Cancer Society and the Marie Keating Foundation.

Ovarian Cancer charities and organisations around the world are highlighting the following key points:

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague – be aware of new changes – digestive issues, bloating, abdominal pain or urinary frequency that last for 3 weeks or more – and talk to your family doctor to get it checked.
Your family history is important! If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer on either side of your family, be sure to tell your family doctor about it. You may have a genetic predisposition – your doctor will be able to advise you about genetic testing and risk reduction.
Remember, there is NO early detection or screening test for ovarian cancer. Knowledge is the best defence!