$20 Million Investment In Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer Australia helps secure landmark  $20m investment to improve outcomes

Today, Ovarian Cancer Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a $20m investment towards ovarian cancer prevention, early detection and treatments as part of the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030.  

Ovarian Cancer CEO Jane Hill said the funding is a game-changer. It creates hope for the 1,500 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia each year that outcomes will improve.  

“Each day, Ovarian Cancer Australia advocates for every woman living with ovarian cancer. As key participants in the development of the National Women’s Health Strategy, we’re proud to have made real progress in securing this funding. This much-needed investment in research and better treatment is essential to improve ovarian cancer’s five year survival rate which currently languishes at just 46 per cent.  

“In February, we also applied for a Medical Research Future Fund round (MRFF) for ovarian cancer. On behalf of every woman and their families whose lives are turned upside down by ovarian cancer, we applaud Minister Hunt’s commitment and thank him for recognising the urgent need for funding to change the story of ovarian cancer,” Ms Hill said. 

Ovarian Cancer Australia Board Member and world renowned ovarian cancer researcher Professor Ian Jacobs, Vice-Chancellor UNSW Sydney, welcomed the prospect of this investment stimulating the sector.  

“The $20 million promised by Minister Hunt will attract more researchers into the field of ovarian cancer. This is a vital step in making the progress we so badly need. It will help Australia to remain a world leader in the field of ovarian cancer research and to play a global role in saving lives. 

“In the past decade we have witnessed a marked improvement in prostate and breast cancer survival rates which now sit at around 90 per cent due to substantial investment in research. This announcement will assist efforts to achieve similar outcomes for ovarian cancer,” Professor Jacobs said. 

Ovarian Cancer Australia’s National Action Plan for Ovarian Cancer Research sets out a roadmap for tackling ovarian cancer research to make a significant change for women now and future generations including to significantly reduce the number of women dying from the disease.

In February this year, Ovarian Cancer Australia held its annual parliamentary breakfast. It was here Jill Emberson; an ABC journalist living with stage four ovarian cancer; stood in front of our nation’s leaders to plead for more funding for the disease.   

“Thank you to Minister Hunt for recognising the plight of women living with ovarian cancer who face such a persistently diabolical prognosis. Although we need a lot more funding to make a significant breakthrough; today we have some hope and are feeling heard,” Ms Emberson said.