It is estimated that this year in Spain some 3,700 new cases of ovarian cancer, a disease that last 2022 caused death of 2,000 patients. The total prevalence of this type of cancer stands at 27,585 cases, according to the latest report “The cancer figures in Spain 2024” prepared by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM).
With the objective of Raise awareness about the importance of precision medicine and the knowledge of the molecular biology in improving the effectiveness in the management of patients with ovarian cancer, ASACO (Association of People Affected by Ovarian Cancer and other Gynecological Tumors) and the MSD-AstraZeneca Alliance have presented the campaign “Time to fulfill dreams”. The initiative aims to focus on the needs, experiences and hopes that patients have and, in turn, on offering quality information about the disease for patients and the general population. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer. Worldwide, this disease accounts for 3% of tumors in women and is also the fourth cause of death from cancer in women after lung, breast and colon cancer.
But advances in research have made the Survival has increased by around 9% since 2002. Advances in the knowledge of the tumor have made it possible to determine that ovarian cancer is five different diseases. In this sense the Dr. Antonio Gonzálezpresident of the Spanish Gynecological Cancer Research Group (GEICO) and director of the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra, has stated that “in the last decade We have witnessed a dizzying evolution in ovarian cancer therapywhich is not a single disease, but we already know that, at least, there are five different types of diseases.”
“This type of surgery requires a high level of specialization that is not available in all parts of the country”
Experts point out that these subtypes of ovarian cancer make it necessary for patients to be cared for by a multidisciplinary team, especially considering that up to 80 percent of people who are diagnosed have the disease spread outside the ovaries, and even spread throughout the peritoneal cavity. “But this does not prevent surgery that can eliminate the entire disease, but a multidisciplinary approach is necessary, and this surgery is essential to increase the chances of survival,” says Dr. González. He explains that this type of surgery requires a high level of specialization which is not available in all parts of the country. That is why ASACO has been demanding an effective referral system to effectively care for these patients.
“The important point is not so much the surgery as the indication for surgery since induction treatments may be necessary prior to surgery,” says Dr. González, who highlights: “The treatment of ovarian cancer is not understood without a multidisciplinary approach and pathologists are essential to help us determine what type of cancer the patient has.” Remember that “this It is a disease that is not very visible in society but it is not a rare disease.”.
The challenges of the future are to go even deeper into molecular diagnosis and increase awareness and information so that patients can have a diagnosis as early as possible. He late diagnosis is one of the main problems in addressing this disease, since around 70-80% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Dr. Gonzalez indicates that “today we know more about ovarian cancer, but the great enemy among all types is high-grade serous carcinoma, which is the most common type and is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. Within this type of ovarian cancer we have made little progress in the area of early diagnosis, but we have we have made great progress in understanding the subtype”.
“When the patient has the first symptom, the disease is already spread”
“When the patient has the first symptom, the disease is already spread,” says Dr. González, explaining that the symptoms are quite nonspecific: slow digestion, abdominal discomfort, constipation, discomfort when urinating, lack of appetite… “These symptoms persist over time, without improvement by carrying out the indicated treatment and without a cause that explains them. suspect“, alert.
The work of patient associations is essential in supporting these patients. Iron Charopresident of the Association of People Affected by Ovarian Cancer and other Gynecological Tumors (ASACO), points out that a proper nutrition and physical exercisejoined to the Psychological attentionare elements “very important” on the mental health of patients and their recovery. “The treatment of patients in reference centers that guarantee optimal surgery and a multidisciplinary approach to ovarian cancer are necessary factors for the prognosis of this type of cancer to improve and for patients to have a better quality of life,” Add.
“Day by day we verify that get out of the disease in the patients it is healthy and good, and helps get through difficult times since even the treatments have a better effect,” says Hierro. Along with the work of pathologists to determine the subtype of cancer, the work of other professionals such as psycho-oncologists is necessary. Hierro points out that “it is also essential to maintain a high emotional state, not only for the patients, but also for the family environment, which also suffers a lot and sometimes also needs assistance.”
“It is essential to maintain a high emotional state, not only for the patients, but also for the family environment”
“The diagnosis of this cancer, As it does not have specific symptoms, it is detected when it is in advanced stages. and it is a shock for the patients,” he acknowledges. He points out that “surely” in Spain there are sufficient resources but they are not in all the Autonomous Communities, which requires a transfer of the patient and because many professionals do not make the appropriate referral. “The prognosis in ovarian cancer cannot depend on luck and currently in Spain it does depend on luck,” he asserts. He points out that it would be necessary to identify those centers that perform more than 20 surgeries annually and that have the necessary expertise to treat these patients with better expectations of success.
Pepa Montenegroovarian cancer survivor and protagonist of the campaign as a representative of ASACO, states: “I am here because what is not known cannot be investigated and I want investigation.”. He recognizes that this cancer “is very painful,” and patients who suffer from it live in the uncomfortable situation, “of thinking that you are going to die.” That is why she recognizes: “I am here for all women. As a cancer patient it is very hard to talk about the disease but belonging to the ASACO association gives you a lot of help.”
Pepa points out that some of the tools that have helped her the most are Mindfulness or therapeutic writing, resources that facilitate associations and that “help you a lot.” He says that the two years of maintenance treatment after the six months of chemotherapy “were even harder.” And he highlights: “ASACO gave me a way to start seeing the light”. Pepa highlights that the help of psycho-oncologists is essential for cancer patients. “We need them because your heart hurts from anxiety. If you see the light you can face life better”. Pepa maintains that they need global and comprehensive help, because “we are the great unknowns and this disease influences many aspects of your life, even your diet.” His goal is to increase the survival rate of this cancer and he recognizes: “For that we need to investigatee, and for that it is necessary that it be known.”
“For the survival of this cancer to increase, we need it to be investigated, and for that it is necessary to know it”
The medical manager of the Oncology Therapeutic Area of MSD in Spain, Pedro Ferrershows that “If there is no collaboration there are no health results and we cannot face the challenges that already face us.” He explains that “molecular biologists came to tell us that what we called cancer in general had many subtypes that needed specific approaches aimed at precision medicine.” Through patient associations they detected the need they had to have a voice in society. “With this initiative We want to convey to patients that we are at their side and that we will continue working to offer them solutions that improve the evolution of the disease and their quality of life,” says Ferrer.
“We must encourage people to know the pathology and ensure that the diagnosis is made early“, it states Ana Peiro, medical director of Oncology at AstraZeneca. “This initiative is a very emotional project,” she acknowledges. He has also highlighted the importance of initiatives like this to raise awareness among the population and that “they show the need to guarantee comprehensive care for these patients to improve their quality of life.”