Latest news with #ClaraMacKay
National Post
05-05-2025
- Health
- National Post
World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Leads Global Campaign to Raise Awareness of Ovarian Cancer
Article content TORONTO — World Ovarian Cancer Day (#WOCD2025) is May 8th, when the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and its 200 partner organizations from around the globe raise their collective voices to increase awareness of ovarian cancer and advocate for the global health community to recognise ovarian cancer as a health priority and boost crucial awareness efforts in order to save lives. Article content World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Global Ambassador and best-selling novelist, Deborah Harkness says, 'If your body is telling you something isn't right, LISTEN TO IT. I urge women to know the signs of ovarian cancer, make sure that you take this list of symptoms to your doctor to advocate for the right testing and the right follow-through care. Women and their doctors must be better informed about the symptoms of ovarian cancer so that they can take action. If we do this, we will truly leave no woman behind in the challenge of facing ovarian cancer.' Article content What women should know: Article content The five most common symptoms of ovarian cancer: Article content Persistent bloating Difficulty eating Feeling full quickly Pelvic/abdominal pain Urinary changes Article content Our Every Woman Study TM: Low-and Middle-Income Edition, which documented the experiences of over 2400 women living with ovarian cancer in 22 low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), found that just one in four women (26.1%) said they had heard of ovarian cancer and knew something about it prior to their own diagnosis. This varied by country from as low as 3.3% (Nepal) to 63.2% (Uzbekistan). This stark lack of awareness is not just the case for LMICs. According to our first Every Woman Study in 2018, over two-thirds of women in high-income countries had not heard of ovarian cancer or knew anything about it prior to their own diagnosis. There is a direct link between awareness and diagnosis. The 2018 study revealed that women with more knowledge of ovarian cancer were more likely to visit their doctor within three months. Article content #WOCD2025 theme is 'No Woman Left Behind' Article content World Ovarian Cancer Coalition CEO, Clara MacKay says, 'No matter where she lives, every woman with ovarian cancer deserves the earliest possible diagnosis and the best possible care. Accelerating diagnosis efforts and radically boosting awareness is not just a global health and economic imperative – it's a matter of equality and justice.' Article content If action is not taken to change the status quo, 12 million women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and eight million women will die from the disease by 2050. Ovarian cancer must be integrated into global women's health initiatives and National Cancer Control Plans to change these stats. Article content Now in its 13th year, World Ovarian Cancer Day unites individuals and organizations to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and advocate for better care and treatment for those affected by the disease. To help support #WOCD2025, see the Get Involved Guide for social media artwork and other digital assets. Follow the Coalition on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
05-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Leads Global Campaign to Raise Awareness of Ovarian Cancer
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- World Ovarian Cancer Day (#WOCD2025) is May 8th, when the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and its 200 partner organizations from around the globe raise their collective voices to increase awareness of ovarian cancer and advocate for the global health community to recognise ovarian cancer as a health priority and boost crucial awareness efforts in order to save lives. On May 8, #WorldOvarianCancerDay, join us in raising our voices to increase awareness of the disease and advocate to make ovarian cancer a global health priority. Low awareness of the symptoms and risks delays diagnosis and treatment. #NoWomanLeftBehind Share World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Global Ambassador and best-selling novelist, Deborah Harkness says, 'If your body is telling you something isn't right, LISTEN TO IT. I urge women to know the signs of ovarian cancer, make sure that you take this list of symptoms to your doctor to advocate for the right testing and the right follow-through care. Women and their doctors must be better informed about the symptoms of ovarian cancer so that they can take action. If we do this, we will truly leave no woman behind in the challenge of facing ovarian cancer.' What women should know: The five most common symptoms of ovarian cancer: Persistent bloating Difficulty eating Feeling full quickly Pelvic/abdominal pain Urinary changes Lack of knowledge of ovarian cancer creates significant delays in diagnosis and starting treatment Our Every Woman Study TM: Low-and Middle-Income Edition, which documented the experiences of over 2400 women living with ovarian cancer in 22 low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), found that just one in four women (26.1%) said they had heard of ovarian cancer and knew something about it prior to their own diagnosis. This varied by country from as low as 3.3% (Nepal) to 63.2% (Uzbekistan). This stark lack of awareness is not just the case for LMICs. According to our first Every Woman Study in 2018, over two-thirds of women in high-income countries had not heard of ovarian cancer or knew anything about it prior to their own diagnosis. There is a direct link between awareness and diagnosis. The 2018 study revealed that women with more knowledge of ovarian cancer were more likely to visit their doctor within three months. #WOCD2025 theme is 'No Woman Left Behind' World Ovarian Cancer Coalition CEO, Clara MacKay says, 'No matter where she lives, every woman with ovarian cancer deserves the earliest possible diagnosis and the best possible care. Accelerating diagnosis efforts and radically boosting awareness is not just a global health and economic imperative - it's a matter of equality and justice.' If action is not taken to change the status quo, 12 million women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and eight million women will die from the disease by 2050. Ovarian cancer must be integrated into global women's health initiatives and National Cancer Control Plans to change these stats. Now in its 13th year, World Ovarian Cancer Day unites individuals and organizations to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and advocate for better care and treatment for those affected by the disease. To help support #WOCD2025, see the Get Involved Guide for social media artwork and other digital assets. Follow the Coalition on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ovarian Cancer Costs Countries Over $70 Billion Annually, According to a Groundbreaking Global Study by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition
TORONTO, February 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (the Coalition) announced today the publication of a first-of-its-kind study that reveals the major socioeconomic burden ovarian cancer has on communities around the world. Co-authored with the research institute RTI International, the study reveals the significant costs and defines actions needed to improve survival and quality of life for ovarian cancer patients and their caregivers. Published in JCO Global Oncology, a leading peer-reviewed medical journal, the landmark "Socioeconomic Burden of Ovarian Cancer in 11 Countries Study" reveals the staggering $70 billion burden of ovarian cancer, with over 90% of these costs resulting from lives lost. The study examined data from a diverse group of countries representing a range of income levels: Australia, Canada, Colombia, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States. World Ovarian Cancer Coalition CEO Clara MacKay says, "This unique study demonstrates the significant impact ovarian cancer has on women, their families and carers, health services and the wider economy. Behind these staggering numbers, there are many untold stories of women's lives being disrupted, facing severe financial hardship and stigma due to their ovarian cancer. We hope, and expect, that by shining a light on the impact of ovarian cancer, policy makers will commit to a formal plan to address the challenges faced by women and acknowledge that by supporting them, society as a whole can benefit." Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with significantly low survival rates. According to Globocan's 2022 projections, by 2050, the number of women around the world diagnosed with ovarian cancer will grow by 55%. Without improved prevention and control measures, mortality will increase by 70%. Global health inequity The study's findings underscore not only the moral and public health imperative to address ovarian cancer but also the urgent economic need to prioritize action. The study highlights significant losses in labor productivity, estimating that 2.5 million workdays are lost annually due to ovarian cancer. Furthermore, more than 9,400 women are absent from the workforce due to the disease. Caregivers, often overlooked in public health planning, dedicate an average of 33 days per year providing essential support to loved ones battling ovarian cancer. Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Global Ambassador, President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and Champion for Women's Health of the World Economic Forum's Global Alliance for Women's Health, added, "Advocates and health professionals in Nigeria work within a socio-cultural system where awareness is poor and presents a huge barrier. Ovarian cancer represents a significant yet understated challenge to women, caregivers as well as our health system and economy. This vital study confirms that and helps us identify the interventions and investments needed to reduce the burden of ovarian cancer." A Global Call to Action The Socioeconomic Burden of Ovarian Cancer in 11 Countries Study shines a spotlight on the pressing need for global prioritization of ovarian cancer. It also highlights the vital role of caregivers and the ripple effects on national productivity and was produced with inputs from the World Health Organization, in line with its Framework for the Meaningful Engagement of People Affected by Noncommunicable Diseases. Raising awareness of ovarian cancer is crucial, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where so many are unaware of the condition and its impact on communities. Dr. Guy Fones, Director a.i., NCD Department, World Health Organization states, "The data from this groundbreaking study is essential to our understanding of the multifaceted socio-economic impact of ovarian cancer, a disease that has long been under-evidenced in the global health landscape. The World Health Organization is committed to advancing data-backed strategies that prioritize equity and improve access to care and outcomes for all women no matter where they live." Addressing the Impact - No Woman Left Behind The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition's Inspiring Voices initiative is a platform dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of those touched by ovarian cancer. Nimkee Gupta, an ovarian cancer survivor born in India, says "Cancer is a full body disease and beyond the patient, it is a family disease. Not everyone dies, but everyone suffers." Stella Matini, a mother of four from Kenya, says "Many women in my country do not have employment, they are housewives at home…Even for me, before my insurance came in…the treatment was taking almost what I earn in a month." Mikis Euripides, Study Lead and Policy Consultant, World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, notes, "The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition believes it is possible to change future outcomes if significant improvements in prevention, diagnosis and access to care are implemented. Reducing the burden of ovarian cancer is critical and prevention is key. Expanded access to genetic testing, prevention measures and affordable care is essential." Funding for this study was provided by separate grants from: AstraZeneca, Abbvie (formerly ImmunoGen), Novartis and Novocure. About the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, the only global not-for-profit organization focused solely on ovarian cancer, was established in 2016 and comprises over 200 patient advocacy group members in 37 countries. We work globally to ensure that everyone living with, or at risk of, ovarian cancer has the best chance of survival and the best quality of life, no matter where they live. To learn more, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. About JCO Global Oncology JCO Global Oncology (JCO GO), an American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal, is an online-only, open-access journal focused on cancer care, research, and care delivery issues unique to countries and settings with limited healthcare resources. About RTI International RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. View source version on Contacts Media Contacts: Annabel Deegan, Senior Communications Consultant for the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition media@ +44 7810 207571Helen Shik, Interim Director of Communications, helen@ 617-510-4373 Sign in to access your portfolio
