Ovarian cancer is Australia's deadliest gynaecological cancer — with over 1,800 new diagnoses and approximately 1,100 deaths each year. Known as the "silent killer" because symptoms are often vague until the disease has spread, ovarian cancer has not seen the survival improvements of many other cancers. Five-year survival remains around 46%. There is no approved screening test. Grant funding supports the urgent research, advocacy, and patient support that this disease demands.
Scale and impact
Why outcomes are so poor
Types of ovarian cancer
BRCA and hereditary risk
NHMRC
Research grants for ovarian cancer biology, treatment, and early detection — Australia has world-class ovarian cancer researchers.
Cancer Australia
Priority grants for ovarian cancer, including the Ovarian Cancer Research Programme.
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
Translational research, clinical trials, and precision medicine for ovarian cancer.
MBS and PBS
Medicare-funded genetic testing (BRCA and other genes for high-risk women) and PBS subsidy for PARP inhibitors (olaparib, niraparib) — a significant treatment advance in recent years.
Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA)
The peak national ovarian cancer organisation:
- Research grants
- Patient support (OCA Resilience programme)
- Survivor advocacy and awareness
- Teal Ribbon awareness campaigns (September)
- Telehealth support services
Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS)
Major research consortium — biobanking and longitudinal research on ovarian cancer.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Foundation
Significant ovarian cancer research at Peter Mac (Australia's largest cancer research hospital).
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI)
Cell biology and cancer biology research including ovarian cancer.
The Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre
University of Queensland research programme.
Early detection research
The highest-priority research area — finding a reliable early detection test:
- Blood biomarkers (CA-125 and newer markers)
- Proteomics and metabolomics
- Liquid biopsy approaches
- Combination screening strategies
- Risk stratification (BRCA carriers and others at high risk)
Treatment research
Recurrent ovarian cancer
Most patients with advanced ovarian cancer experience recurrence — treatment options narrow with each recurrence:
- PARP inhibitor maintenance
- Second-line and later-line chemotherapy
- Clinical trials
BRCA and genetic testing
Patient support
Awareness and early detection education
Ovarian cancer disproportionately affects women in their reproductive years — and treatment often ends fertility:
- Pre-treatment fertility preservation discussion
- Psychological support for fertility loss
- Young women's specific support needs
- Fertility preservation research
The early detection imperative
The biggest unmet need in ovarian cancer is a reliable early detection test — if ovarian cancer could be caught at Stage I, five-year survival would exceed 90%. Research applications focused on early detection have a compelling rationale.
PARP inhibitors and precision medicine
The approval of PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutant ovarian cancer is a genuine breakthrough — applications aligned with building on this precision medicine approach are well-positioned.
Young women and fertility
Ovarian cancer in women under 45 is particularly devastating — fertility loss, treatment intensity, and long-term effects are significant. Programmes specifically addressing younger women's needs are underserved.
Genetic testing equity
Not all women who would benefit from BRCA testing have access — rural, CALD, and low-income women are underserved. Applications improving access to genetic testing and counselling are compelling.
Tahua's grants management platform supports cancer funders and ovarian cancer organisations — with research grant tracking, patient support programme management, clinical trial data, and the reporting tools that help ovarian cancer funders demonstrate their investment in fighting Australia's deadliest gynaecological cancer.