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Tuesday 1 February 2022
It is one of the deadliest cancers affecting women in Australia. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer, and due to its vague symptoms Ovarian Cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Each day in Australia, five women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and three will die from the disease.
In Australia the overall five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer is 48%. (In comparison, the overall five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is 92%).
It is estimated that 1,720 Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and 1,042 women will die from the disease – that’s one woman every eight hours.
There is no early detection test or effective screening program for ovarian cancer, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms.
Ovarian signs and symptoms include:
Risk factors Some factors that can increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer include:
At Mater, we have an experienced and highly skilled team of health professionals to support women through diagnosis, treatment and management of ovarian cancer, with options for both public and private patients.
Private patients: Refer direct to one of Mater’s Gynaecological Oncologists for the next available appointment through their private practice.
Public patients: Referral to the Gynaecological Oncology clinic is via the Mater Adult Outpatient referral form or through Smart Referrals.
Mater’s Gynaecological Oncology team, led by Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist Dr Nimithri Cabraal, have developed guidelines to clarify the follow up of gynaecological malignancies – including Ovarian Cancer – once a patient has completed their primary treatment.
Epithelial ovarian cancer accounts for <30% of gynaecological malignancies but is disproportionately represented in deaths. The risk of recurrence in patients with epitethelial ovarian cancer is high; occurring in 25% of women with early stage disease, and >80% of those with advanced stage. Median 5-year survival is 40-50%. Patients do have options for further surgery and/or chemotherapy depending on the timing and nature of the recurrence. Surveillance does have an important role because salvage treatments can have a significant impact on ongoing survival.
Malignant germ cell tumours account for <3% of all ovarian cancers. These tumours are often unilateral and occur in younger women where fertility sparing surgery has been performed. Recurrence is relatively rare after primary treatment, but can be successfully treated. It usually occurs in the first two years after the end of primary treatment, so surveillance is most intensive at this time.
Surveillance of Ovarian Cancers is shared between Medical Oncology and Gynae Oncology. If at any time between these reviews you or your patient are concerned regarding new or persisting concerns, please contact the department of Gynae Oncology.
View complete guidelines for Ovarian cancers, along with other gynaecological cancers following primary treatment in the Guidelines for Surveillance of Gynaecological Malignancies,
Women receiving treatment and care for Ovarian Cancer at Mater have access to a wide range of allied health services and supports. These include:
These services are available to publicly funded and privately insured patients, with home and community allied health available through Mater at Home.
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