Ovarian Cancer Action

Who we are

Action. One third of our name and 100% of what we’re about.

And while we’re talking numbers, here’s another: one woman dies in the UK from ovarian cancer every two hours. Although five-year survival rates for ovarian cancer are improving, other cancers, such as breast cancer, had better survival rates two generations ago than ovarian cancer does today.  We’re here to change all that. And we’re following two routes to achieve that change: awareness raising and scientific research.

Raising awareness for the quickest impact

We’re campaigning to increase awareness and improve understanding of symptoms among the public and GPs. The symptoms of ovarian cancer can easily be attributed to other, less serious conditions such as IBS, or even to the menopause, but the sooner ovarian cancer is diagnosed the better the chance of survival. So education is vital. And we know it’s where we can make the quickest impact.

Funding research for the biggest impact

The biggest impact we can make comes from our main area of focus: scientific research. Since 2006, Ovarian Cancer Action has funded £12.3 million of research projects: more than any other ovarian cancer charity in the UK. We’ve opened the Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre (OCARC), Europe’s first ever centre dedicated to ovarian cancer research. And we continue to run our HHMT International Forum on Ovarian Cancer, which has been bringing together the world’s leading scientists to determine research priorities around the globe since 1987.

Moving towards the next generation

Over the last fifteen years, our efforts to fund and facilitate the very best ovarian cancer research have achieved dramatic results. But, of course, there’s more work to be done. Thanks to the continuing generosity of our supporters, we’re now committed to funding the next generation of research and to accelerating progress in three main areas: preventing the disease, diagnosing it early, and developing effective, personalised treatments. We believe this approach will help more women survive ovarian cancer than ever before.

Take action with us now and transform the lives and prospects of women today and for generations to come.