Submitted by ovarian cancer survivor Annie Ellis, OCRA Research Advocate and Scientific Advisory Committee member This year’s SGO annual meeting was held in Phoenix, Arizona from March 18-21. Approximately 2,100 medical professionals attended in person with several hundred more attending virtually to learn the latest on gynecologic cancers. By now, you may have seen professional coverage … Continued
Some ovarian cancers are genetically linked to the gynecologic disorder known as endometriosis, according to recent findings from an international team of researchers. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus — the endometrium — grows outside the uterus. Though endometriosis is classified as a benign disorder, it … Continued
With spring finally upon us, we want to give a shout-out to a group of OCRA Heroes who welcomed the season by setting themselves into motion, both literally and figuratively, to raise awareness and funds for our shared cause. Movement was the main theme for all of these supporters, who helped keep the momentum going … Continued
There are so many ways to spring into action and knowledge around our shared mission. Read on to learn about promising research findings, how to make your voice heard, ways to receive and generate support, and more! Research Advocacy Patient Support & Programs Events Ways to Give
Though palliative care and hospice care are both used to improve a patient’s quality of life, there are key distinctions between the two — as well as many commonly held misconceptions about how they differ. Dr. Lori Spoozak recently led an in-depth discussion about the two modes of care during an online session held as part of … Continued
With tax season upon us, financial planning is on many people’s minds. While all gifts made by check or credit card are tax-deductible, there are other ways to fund cutting-edge ovarian cancer research that also offer tax benefits. We have new developments that may be of interest: And, of course, there are many other ways … Continued
Update: On 3/11/22, President Biden SIGNED the FY2022 spending bill into law, implementing key ovarian cancer program increases. This represents a major win for the ovarian cancer community, and we applaud all who lent their voices to earn this victory. If you have ever lent your voice on behalf of our shared mission, you — … Continued
Dr. Melanie Weigert, of University of Chicago, is a 2021 recipient of OCRA’s Mentored Investigator Grant. With her project, “Genome-Wide Profiling of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine on Cell-Free DNA,” Dr. Weigert aims to identify biomarkers that can predict how cancer cells will respond to platinum-based treatments, helping guide patients with potentially platinum-resistant cancer toward alternative therapies. Dr. Weigert’s … Continued
Key recommendations for improving care of ovarian cancer patients in the United States have been published as part of a collaborative, in-depth initiative spearheaded by the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) and involving a joint partnership between OCRA, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, the National Society of Genetic Counselors, and the Association for Molecular Pathology. The initiative was guided … Continued
In promising news on the prevention front, one surgical procedure that leaves the ovaries intact may greatly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Recent research findings show that the surgical removal of fallopian tubes in a procedure known as an opportunistic salpingectomy may prevent the most common subtype of ovarian cancer from developing. The procedure … Continued
This may be a short month, but it’s not short on all the many ways to get involved. In the meantime, we hope you feel the Valentine love from all of us at OCRA. Advocacy Patient Support & Programs Events Research Ways to Give
Cervical cell samples that are routinely collected as part of Pap smears may hold promise for predicting the risk of ovarian and other cancers, according to recent findings published as two separate papers in Nature — one focused on ovarian cancer and the other on breast cancer. The researchers studied cervical samples collected at 15 different health centers in Europe … Continued
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