One in 85 (1.2%) women are at risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer before the age of 85, but the impact on society is far greater than this figure implies.
Join A/Prof Sumitra Ananda and Dr Niveditha Rajadevan as they facilitate a panel discussion with A/Prof Orla McNally, A/Prof Yoland Antill and Sonja Pilon looking into the link between ovarian cancer and genetics.
Whilst the majority of women experience symptoms before diagnosis, ovarian cancer is often not detected until at an advanced stage, and prognosis is therefore poorer. The five-year survival (5YS) rate for women diagnosed at Stage I is approximately 90%, whilst the 5YS for Stage III is approximately 39%.
Many people who have ovarian cancer or who have a relative with ovarian cancer seek information regarding whether there is an inherited cause. Hereditary cancers are caused by inheriting a faulty gene (genetic mutation) from either parent.
Variants in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are responsible for up to 20% of all ovarian cancers. There are additional genetic mutations that play a role, including faulty RAD51C, RAD51D, BRIP1, PALB2, MLH1,MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 genes.
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) inhibitors have provided great clinical benefits to ovarian cancer patients, and there are currently two PARP inhibitors approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia for the treatment of suitable ovarian cancers. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating different treatment strategies involving PARP inhibitors with the hope of improving outcomes for women with ovarian cancer.
Associate Professor Sumitra Ananda
Medical Oncologist/Clinical Research Fellow
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Dr Niveditha Rajadevan
GynaeOncologist
The Royal Women's Hospital
Associate Professor Orla McNally
Director of the Oncology and Dysplasia Service
The Royal Women's Hospital
Associate Professor Yoland Antill
Medical Oncologist/Cancer Genetics specialist
Cabrini, Peninsula and Melbourne Health Services
Christine Crupi
Consumer
