Ovarian cancer is one of New Zealand's most serious cancers for women, with around 400 diagnoses annually and poor survival due to late-stage diagnosis. There is no reliable early detection test. Grants fund research, patient support, BRCA genetic testing, and treatment access. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Ovarian Cancer Foundation NZ is the primary organisation:
- Research grants: Ovarian cancer science and clinical research
- Awareness: Symptoms awareness — late diagnosis is the main challenge
- Patient support: Information and support services
- Advocacy: Pharmac access for new ovarian cancer treatments
Cancer Society NZ:
- Regional support for ovarian cancer patients
- Research contribution
- Community education
Health system ovarian cancer:
- Gynaecological oncology: Ovarian cancer surgery and medical oncology
- Chemotherapy: Carboplatin, paclitaxel, and newer agents through Pharmac
- BRCA testing: Genetic testing for high-risk families
- Surveillance: Post-treatment monitoring
Pharmac funds ovarian cancer treatment:
- Bevacizumab (Avastin): Funded for specific ovarian cancer settings
- PARP inhibitors: Olaparib and other PARP inhibitors — access being expanded
- Chemotherapy: Standard chemotherapy funded
Access to PARP inhibitors is a major advocacy issue for NZ ovarian cancer patients.
HRC funds ovarian cancer research:
- Clinical trials
- Basic science
- Translational research
BRCA testing and hereditary ovarian cancer:
- BRCA1/BRCA2: Genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
- Preventive surgery: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy for BRCA carriers
- Genetic counselling: Funded DHB genetic counselling services
Gaming trusts fund ovarian cancer community programmes:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community health
- Grassroots Trust: Community health
- Pub Charity: Community health events
- Lion Foundation: Community health
Gaming trust ovarian cancer applications:
- Patient support group events
- Awareness campaigns on ovarian cancer symptoms
- Transport to treatment
- Financial hardship assistance
Ovarian cancer symptoms awareness:
- Bloating, abdominal pain, frequent urination: Common symptoms often dismissed
- Early diagnosis: Awareness campaigns drive earlier presentation
- GP education: Recognising ovarian cancer symptoms in primary care
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Awareness: Symptom recognition campaigns reducing time to diagnosis
- Research: Earlier detection methods and new treatments
- Patient support: Navigation through complex treatment pathway
- BRCA advocacy: Genetic testing access and preventive surgery
- Pharmac access: Advocacy for new treatments
- Women reached: Women aware of symptoms and accessing testing
- Survival: Clinical trial outcomes improving survival
Tahua's grants management platform helps ovarian cancer organisations manage grant applications across Ovarian Cancer Foundation NZ, Cancer Society NZ, gaming trusts, and health foundations, tracking awareness, research, and patient support outcomes.