February 27, 2010
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that a phase III study showed the combination of Avastin (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy followed by maintenance use of Avastin increased the time women with advanced ovarian cancer lived without their disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS) compared to chemotherapy alone.

February 2010
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have reported that women who take aspirin on a regular basis have a decreased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared with non-users. The details of this study were published in the February 8, 2010 issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. (click article title to read news story)

February 1, 2010
Scientists at the Canary Center say their first blood test, developed for ovarian cancer, is about to begin phase one clinical trials at Stanford. The first patient group will be women at high risk for ovarian cancer.

HE4 is a novel biomarker that complements CA125 measurement in patients with ovarian cancer by providing improved sensitivity at fixed levels of specificity. This combination has been used to develop the ROMA algorithm (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm) that will improve triage of women with adnexal mass.
by Dr W. J. Allard and Dr R. G. Moore.

From M D Anderson by Laura Prus -Winter 2010

For many cancer survivors, the fear of recurrence is oppressive. It hinders them from enjoying everyday activities and profoundly affects their quality of life. However, by learning to manage their anxieties, patients can become more confident about their survivorship.

January 23, 2010

While 84% of doctors said that patients' out-of-pocket spending influences treatment recommendations, only 43% of them actually discuss costs with patients on a regular basis.

January 18, 2010
Ask your doctor to see if you are eligible for any of the current trials for PARP inhibitors.  PARP inhibitors have been of particular interest for patients who have a cancer that is associated with a BRCA mutation, such as those with familial breast or ovarian cancer. Click the article title to link to the complete article by Dr. Armstrong.

December 11, 2009

All ovarian cancers are not the same, and a new study suggests gene testing of ovarian tumors may soon allow for more effective ovarian cancer treatment. Researchers found a gene called MAGP2, which has not previously been associated with any type of cancer, was overexpressed in the most fatal types of ovarian cancer .

November 22, 2009

After decades of focus on the upside of cancer screening, public health experts are reevaluating the wisdom of administering routine cancer screening tests to millions of asymptomatic people.

Although screening certainly saves lives, recent studies make it clear that it also leads to biopsies, surgeries, chemo and radiation — even some deaths — that otherwise would not have been occurred.

November 2009

The drug Sprycel, approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, significantly inhibited the growth and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and also promoted their death, a study by researchers with UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found.

Sept. 11, 2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared a test that can help detect ovarian cancer in a pelvic mass that is already known to require surgery. The test, called OVA1, helps patients and health care professionals decide what type of surgery should be done and by whom.

October 16, 2009
Together with the White House, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance participated in a discussion about the flu, both seasonal and the H1N1 viruses. The discussion was led by cancer and vaccine experts at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   

October 2, 2009

The Interim Practice Guidance, endorsed by prominent specialists in the field of gynecologic cancer, marks the first time ovarian cancer diagnostic protocols have been made available to the public.

September 1, 2009
Despite the recent progress in its management, including surgery and chemotherapy, ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy. One of the promising approaches that may improve patient outcome is the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

September 20, 2009

Dose-dense chemotherapy improves survival in women with advanced ovarian cancer, Japanese researchers say.

November 6, 2008

These estimations should provide women who are BRCA1/2 carriers with a framework for making informed decisions about the best way to decrease their risk of dying of breast cancer.

December 16, 2009

February 2010
This links to an article on the University Health System website about when OCAN women launched OCNA's Survivors Teaching Students program at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Also, click here to read OCAN's story.