Speaking up for a ‘silent disease’ – putting ovarian cancer on the agenda 

Canberra, ACT — Years of underfunding and inaction have left ovarian cancer—the deadliest gynaecological cancer—lagging behind other cancers, costing the lives of too many Australians. Today, the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) launches a bold five-year Research Impact Strategy at Parliament House, aiming to help break a cycle of neglect and shine a spotlight on a feared disease that affects almost 2,000 Australian women and girls each year.   

Demonstrating growing momentum for the cause, the event has received bipartisan support from The Hon Rebecca White MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing, Indigenous Health and Women, and Senator The Hon Anne Ruston MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, plus a number of other parliamentarians and senior policy officials.  The OCRF and the ovarian cancer community are hopeful this cross-parliament support will lead to investment in critical research to help turn the tide on ovarian cancer outcomes. 

Too late for some—but not too late for change  

For grieving families like that of 35-year-old Heidi d’Elboux—who died in July this year, just three months after her diagnosis, leaving behind her partner Chad Barnier and three-year-old son Dallas—change has not come fast enough. Chad will address an audience of patients, survivors, families, researchers, parliamentarians and policymakers at the launch event, urging the Government to confront the devastating legacy of chronic underinvestment and ensure other families don’t suffer the same tragic loss.  

Ovarian cancer’s five-year survival rate continues to languish at less than 50%, starkly lower than most common cancers. No early detection test exists, treatment options remain limited, and recurrence is common. Despite its prevalence, ovarian cancer has received less than 1% of Government medical research funding in the past 15 years.  

New plan, renewed hope   

For the first time, the voices of over 420 Australians—including those living with ovarian cancer and leading scientific researchers—have shaped a strategy built on their clear priorities: earlier detection, more effective treatments, and prevention.   

“Our Research Impact Strategy is not just a roadmap, it’s a call to arms,” says OCRF CEO Robin Penty. “It sets out how we CAN accelerate progress through scientific excellence and evidence, true collaboration, and equity for women in research. The OCRF is a community-funded organisation. Each year, we garner more support and raise more funds, which we invest in innovative research, but to catch up with the progress made on other cancers, there must be true collaboration with all parties at the table, including government.”  

The new plan champions:   Expanded, strategic funding of innovative discovery research  National and international collaboration, between organisations and between researchers  Advocacy for improved policy and targeted government investment  Gender equity and inclusion in research leadership   Improved research infrastructure and knowledge sharing  Action to translate research discoveries rapidly into clinical practice.  

A decade for transformation 

With the Australian community’s support, the OCRF’s Research Impact Strategy offers a clear path to help deliver meaningful, overdue change within a decade.  

The Research Impact Strategy complements key initiatives such as the Australian Cancer Plan and the proposed Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative.