Ovarian Cancer. We’re by your side. Period.
It doesn’t have an effective screening program. Symptoms can be mistaken for something else. It’s often caught too late. At HealthMatch, we don’t think it’s an ovary-reaction to say that this has to change. Find an ovarian cancer clinical trial today.
Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials
Every year, 1,580 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Every year, 1,046 die from the disease. The average Australian woman has a 1 in 85 chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer by the age of 85.
Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in one or both of the ovaries – part of the female reproductive system – grown out of control, and form a tumour.
Looking for how to help someone with ovarian cancer? At HealthMatch, we’re bringing forward tomorrow’s treatments. We have more than nine trials available for ovarian cancer, including ones aimed at platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and biologic therapy.
8th
most common cancer in Australia ¹
64
is the average age of diagnosis ²
Indigenous
Australians are 1.4 more likely to be diagnosed ³
Foundation
Ovarian Cancer Australia
Ovarian Cancer Australia supports women diagnosed with, and people affected by, ovarian cancer. It was founded in 2001 as OvCa, and became known by its current name in 2008.
They focus on providing care and support for people affected by ovarian cancer, as well as leading change.
Ovarian Cancer Australia Support Services
Ovarian Cancer Australia offers numerous support services, including free webinars; a helpline; booklets and infographics; newsletters; online forums, and more.
Resources
CA125 App
The CA125 app empowers women to have greater control over their cancer treatment. Users are able to follow the trends between their treatment, and tumour marker changes.
Ovarshare
Ovarshare is a six-episode podcast series about different experiences with ovarian cancer. It shares stories of people living with ovarian cancer, of those who passed and their families and friends.
FAQ
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in one or both ovaries – small almond-shaped organs that are part of the female reproductive system – start growing in an uncontrolled way. This then forms a malignant tumour.
There are several types of ovarian cancer. These include epithelial, germ cell and sex cord-stromal.
Epithelial is the most common type of ovarian cancer. It accounts for 90% of cases. This is when the cancer starts in the cells lining the surface layer of the ovary – the epithelial.
There are several sub-types of epithelial, including serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell and undifferentiated.
Germ cell is a rare type of ovarian cancer, accounting for about 5% of cases. This type starts in the cells that produce the eggs – germinal cells.
Stromal cell is a form of rare cancer that starts from the structural tissues in the ovary. These structural tissues produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer – this includes transgender men, female-assigned non-binary people and intersex people if they have ovaries.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer include increasing age; having endometriosis; hormone replacement therapy usage; being overweight; smoking, and more.
Hereditary factors account for 20% of ovarian cancers. This includes inherited mutations in genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, or having a strong family history of ovarian, breast, colorectal or endometrial cancers.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
There may be no symptoms for the cancer in its early stages. When they do occur, they consist of a swollen or bloated abdomen; abdominal or pelvis pain; feeling full quickly; increased and urgent urination.
Other symptoms may include indigestion; nausea; tiredness; pain during sex; lower back pain, and more.
How do you treat ovarian cancer?
Treatment for ovarian cancer is dependant on a number of factors. These include the type of cancer, the stage, plans for future children, whether you carry a faulty gene, general health and fitness and more.
Stage I epithelial cancers are usually treated with surgery alone. People may be offered chemotherapy following the surgery if there is a high risk of the cancer returning.
Stages II, III, and IV of epithelial are usually treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is offered in some cases.
Germ cell is also treated with surgery, and may also be treated with chemotherapy.
Surgery is also the treatment offered for stromal cell. This is sometimes followed by chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
Is there a cure for ovarian cancer?
The five-year survival rate is 45%.
Germ cell tumours can be cured with chemotherapy.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a scientific study involving patient or non-patient (healthy) human volunteers. They help determine whether medicines are safe and effective to introduce as new treatments for a particular disease or condition.
How do I select a clinical trial?
HealthMatch matches you to clinical trials, in an easy-to-understand process.
After completing a medical questionnaire, our platform searches for and filters eligible trials for you. You’re able to view matches and apply for trials, on your trial dashboard.
We’ll put you in direct contact with the trial group once you’ve been accepted. We won’t stop searching until we’ve found you the right match.
Find Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials Today
1 2 Ovarian Cancer Australia, About Ovarian Cancer
3 Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, Cancer in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people of Australia