More than 14,000 Australian women are projected to lose their lives to ovarian cancer over the next decade as advocates and researchers urge the Albanese government to increase funding for this disease, the deadliest among women in Australia. Despite its high mortality rate, ovarian cancer receives significantly less research funding compared to other common cancers.
Ovarian cancer has a five-year survival rate of around 49 percent, substantially lower than the 90 percent survival rates for breast, bowel, and prostate cancers. Between 2003 and 2020, the Australian federal government allocated $442 million to breast cancer research, $191 million to bowel cancer, $185 million to prostate cancer, and $176 million to melanoma research. In contrast, ovarian cancer received a total of $92 million during the same period.
Among those affected is Alisha Thomson, a former hospital doctor from Cairns who was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer at age 27. By that time, the disease had already spread to her heart, lungs, and breast. Nearly 10 years on, after undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and participating in experimental drug trials, Thomson describes her current status as “extra time.” She acknowledges the inevitability of her condition but holds on to hope that ongoing research will lead to advancements that extend life or offer a cure.
“I’ve just got to stay alive long enough to make it to the next clinical trial or next piece of groundbreaking research,” Thomson said, emphasizing the critical role of investment in scientific studies. She and others are calling for a $21 million annual commitment from the government to bolster ovarian cancer research, focusing on developing better treatments and an early detection test.
Molecular cancer biologist Maree Bilandzic of the Hudson Institute of Medical Research highlighted the lack of progress in treatment and detection, attributing this to inadequate and inconsistent funding. “There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer,” Bilandzic said, underscoring that 75 percent of cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when symptoms have already appeared and the disease is more difficult to treat effectively.
Chelsea Regan, diagnosed at 16 with a rare form of ovarian cancer and now 22, has had both ovaries removed. She is an advocate for increased research funding, hoping policymakers can understand the uncertainty and isolation faced by patients.
Independent Senator David Pocock criticized the government for not responding to his earlier call for a $70 million investment in ovarian cancer research and care, highlighting that more than 1,000 Australian women die each year from the disease. Robin Penty, CEO of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, pointed out that while donors have contributed $37 million in the past 25 years, urgent government support is necessary. “These are people who can’t wait six months — they need answers now,” Penty said.
The government has committed $3 million to Ovarian Cancer Australia for a telehealth support program and references the broader 10-year, $300 million Australian Cancer Research Program, which includes efforts to improve outcomes for cancers with low survival rates such as ovarian cancer. However, advocates maintain that current funding levels remain insufficient to close the gap in survival rates and research advances.