Latest News
Joining forces with WellBeing of Women, Ovarian cancer action has worked this year to involve GP's in the ovarian cancer awareness campaign, with the Royal College of GP's giving its official support.
Their vice president Dr Graham Archard commented," The Royal College of General Practitioners supports Ovarian cancer action and WellBeing of Women in their initiative as it recognises that despite similar treatments around the world, the UK has second lowest survival rate for ovarian cancer in Europe. Until accurate and specific the screening tools are available for the disease, the RCGP acknowledges that awareness of symptoms and early diagnosis are important in the quest to improve survival rates, of this the fourth most common cancer in women.
In many medical textbooks ovarian cancer is referred to as 'a silent killer', but new research has established that this is not the case. The RCGP encourages good communication between patient and doctor to ensure that symptoms, which are primarily abdominal in nature, and common in other conditions, are reported accurately and diagnosed, whatever their cause. Although GP's don't often see ovarian cancer, it should be kept it in mind when women present with abdominal or pelvic symptoms that are very persistent, frequent and of sudden onset, or are being treated unsuccessfully for other conditions."
In addition to publication of articles in various GP magazines, The New Generalist published an up to date fact sheet on symptoms and risk factors. You can download your own copy here.
The two charities have also commissioned a survey of GP's through Benchmark Research and doctors.net research panel, asking about their experiences of ovarian cancer. The key findings were as follows:
Although GP's only see a case once every 4 or 5 years, they were keen to improve their knowledge and skills in the diagnostic process. The survey of 300 GP's showed they were not aware of recent developments:
Over three quarters still believe that symptoms only present themselves at advanced stages when effective treatment is difficult. Only 10% believe that women diagnosed with early stage disease are reporting symptoms. (Research has shown 90% of women with early stage disease have been reporting symptoms)
They were not aware of the importance of the number, frequency, persistence and sudden onset of symptoms.
65% of GPs questioned could either not recall when they had last received information about ovarian cancer or believed that it was longer than a year ago.
This lack of up-to-date information may explain why 60% of GPs are concerned that they are missing cases. However, GPs are keen to get accurate and early diagnoses for their patients:
Over 70% said information on research into symptoms and early diagnosis would be very valuable (only 2% said that this information would not be valuable) and they considered updated referral guidelines and ongoing educational material on the disease to be similarly important
Clear communication between GP and patient is very important.
Nearly all the GPs (97%) said that women concerned about ovarian cancer should voice their concerns specifically, so women do not need to worry that their fears will not be taken seriously.
GP's welcomed the idea of patients using a symptoms diary to help clarify the range, frequency and impact of symptoms to help identify those patients who need further investigation.
By carrying out the survey we aim
to ensure medical professionals are aware of the changing thoughts on ovarian cancer, in the hope that when they come across a case, they are able to identify it as promptly as they can
to encourage women to seek answers to questions they have about their symptoms, and to be clear about their frequency, onset, nature and impact
Allyson Kaye, our Chief Executive comments "until specific and accurate tests are developed that can detect the disease even before symptoms show, awareness is vital, and GP's have a really important role to play. This research will help us focus our work with GP's and other primary care teams".
Coverage of the campaign, and survey were given prominence in two leading GP journals: The New Generalist Magazine (Royal College of GP's in house magazine) and Scottish Primary Care, as well as in the national press and media
GP's can download a factsheet on symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer and read the results of our recent GP survey. Download your factsheet on risk factors and symptoms here