Drive to help older women with cancer
The chances of survival for ovarian cancer patients diminish with age, according to the Office of National Statistics. Now doctors in Bath, Bristol and Weston are determined to tackle the inequality.
“I am really privileged to be part of the team improving outcomes for women with ovarian cancer,” said Claire Newton, consultant gynaecological oncologist at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
“This pilot is an opportunity for the RUH and UHBW to make a huge difference to the lives of older women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in our local area.”
Tragically, if you are over 55, your chances of surviving one year with ovarian cancer drop by 15 percentage points, over 65 by another ten percentage points, and if you are over 75, by another 25 percentage points so your chances of surviving another year are less than 50 per cent.
Doctors at the RUH are trialling a new service to tackle inequality in ovarian cancer outcomes in partnership with charity Ovarian Cancer Action.
“Sometimes older patients are not deemed fit enough for more intensive cancer treatments,” said Jonathan Frost, consultant gynaecological oncologist.
“Our Holistic Integrated Care in Ovarian Cancer (HICO) service looks at the patient’s health as a whole.”
“So, rather than just focussing on the cancer diagnosis, we support many aspects of their physical and mental health and the management of any other medical conditions they may have.
“This means people are better able to manage treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery, better able to recover more quickly after treatment too.”
The RUH and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston care for over 150 patients with ovarian cancer every year, a large proportion of whom are over the age of 70.
The RUH and UHBW NHS pilot is one of six across the country under Ovarian Cancer Action’s IMPROVE UK Programme. The funding comes from a £1 million investment secured by Ovarian Cancer UK from the UK Government Tampon Tax Fund.
The HICO service, being piloted until December, will provide support for patients aged 55 and over.