The eighth most common cancer in Australian women kills about 1000 every year.
It most commonly affects women aged over 50, but can occur in women of all ages.
Ovarian Cancer Australia says the survival rate for women diagnosed with the cancer has failed to improve in recent years, while the survival rates for other cancers, including breast, bowel and prostate, have gained ground due to breakthroughs in detection, treatment and prevention.
In Australia, the overall five-year survival rate for those with ovarian cancer is 43 per cent, compared with 89 per cent for breast cancer.
"It is just not good enough that there has been no significant change in the treatment options for women with ovarian cancer for many years," said Ovarian Cancer Australia CEO Alison Amos, who launched an ovarian cancer national action plan at an international gynaecological cancer meeting in Melbourne on Sunday.
Ms Amos said the plan provides a blueprint for how Australia can best contribute to the global ovarian cancer research effort.
"Similar national plans were published for breast cancer and prostate cancer 10 years ago and these diseases have seen great strides forward in research," she said.
The action plan calls for a shift in funding from detection to the treatment, control and prevention of the disease, as well as more Australian led clinical trials and greater transparency from not-for-profit organisations that fund ovarian cancer research.
As part of the plan Ovarian Cancer Australia announced a $1 million funding investment in research.
Ovarian cancer symptoms
- Many women with a very early stage of ovarian cancer often don't have any symptoms at all.
- Symptoms can include abdominal or pelvic pain and increased abdominal size or persistent bloating.
- Other symptoms can include the need to urinate often orurgently or feeling full after eating a small amount.
