Ovarian Cancer Action

We are Ovarian Cancer Action, the UK’s ovarian cancer research charity. 

With the support of people like you, we fund world-class research, raise critical awareness and tackle health inequalities with the goal that no woman dies of ovarian cancer. 

Ovarian cancer is rare but devastating. Around 7,500 women are diagnosed each year in the UK and over 4,100 die - more than all other gynaecological cancers combined. While early diagnosis gives a 95% chance of survival, most women are diagnosed too late. This stark reality reflects decades of underinvestment. But we know change is possible – through research, symptoms and risk awareness, and levelling up quality of treatment across the UK. 

From our research centre, we've sparked life-changing discoveries across the globe. We’re innovating treatment through new drugs and personalised approaches. 

The chance of ovarian cancer coming back is a staggering 70% - made worse by the fact that when it returns, it’s often resistant to treatment. That’s why our researchers are dedicated to trying to find new ways to stop treatments from losing their effectiveness.

We’re making prevention a possibility by uncovering risk factors, driving awareness of gene faults like BRCA and Lynch Syndrome, and developing OvarianVax, the world’s first preventative ovarian cancer vaccine, to stop the disease before it starts. 

A woman’s postcode should never decide whether she lives or dies, which is why our Surgical Expertise Programme trains gynaecological surgeons nationwide with a leading ovarian cancer surgeon, to deliver the best treatment across the UK and improve survival rates. 

But there's so much more to do. With your support, we can change the outcomes for more women with ovarian cancer, now and in the future. 

We are honoured to be supporting this appeal for Ovarian Cancer Action, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer research charity, and a cause that is very close to our hearts. 

Rosa was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018 so we know how devastating this disease can be – not only for the woman diagnosed, but for everyone who loves them. 

Rosa facing ovarian cancer has inspired us to use our voice to raise awareness of a disease that is still too often diagnosed late, and too poorly understood.

Ovarian cancer urgently needs more attention, funding and research. Ovarian Cancer Action is working to change the future by funding pioneering research into earlier detection, new and personalised treatments, and more options to prevent ovarian cancer. 

Through the world‑leading Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre, they are driving the breakthroughs needed to give women more time, more options and more hope – so fewer families have to go through what ours did.

Gilly was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer after an emergency admission to hospital with severe abdominal pain. What followed was frightening and revealed a devastating reality for so many women in the UK. Although surgery was possible, her local surgeon explained he did not have the expertise to operate everywhere the cancer had spread. Gilly was not told that other surgeons could offer more extensive, life‑saving surgery – she only discovered this through a friend.

Eventually, Gilly was treated by Professor Christina Fotopoulou, whose expertise transformed her outlook. “She looked at me, hugged me and said she could help. She gave my family hope,” Gilly says.

It’s now ten years since her diagnosis and seven since her recurrence. Her cancer is under control, and she feels incredibly lucky to still be here. Gilly’s story shows why no woman’s chance of survival should depend on her postcode – and why training more specialist surgeons is vital.

Sbba was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2022, after months of symptoms that didn’t seem unusual. Like many women, she was told her symptoms were likely linked to menopause or IBS – cancer was the last thing on her mind. When tests finally revealed ovarian cancer, the diagnosis came as a shock.

Her treatment journey was gruelling and did not go to plan. Initial surgery was unable to remove the cancer, and intensive chemotherapy followed, bringing severe side effects and repeated hospital admissions. Through it all, Sbba drew strength from the unwavering support around her and from her faith. Eventually, further surgery was able to remove all visible cancer.

After enduring such an intense ordeal, Sbba lived with a constant fear of recurrence – a fear that has since become reality. Her story highlights how little is still understood about why ovarian cancer comes back, and why research into recurrence is vital to give women longer, better lives after diagnosis.

Siobhan’s life changed when her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and later passed away from the disease. In the wake of that loss, Siobhan discovered she carried a BRCA1 gene fault – a genetic mutation that significantly increases the risk of ovarian cancer. She describes finding out as devastating, but also life‑changing. Determined to protect her future and her family, Siobhan chose to undergo preventative surgeries, a decision she describes as both frightening and empowering.

After her diagnosis, Siobhan became passionate about raising awareness of hereditary risk, encouraging relatives to get tested and ensuring others had the knowledge she wished her family had sooner. Her actions led to life‑saving risk‑reducing surgeries for other family members too.

Siobhan’s story highlights why understanding genetic risk – and investing in prevention, including pioneering research like ovarian cancer vaccines – is so vital. For her, research means knowledge, choice, and the chance to stop ovarian cancer before it starts.