Genetic testing is a crucial tool to identify personalised treatment options for ovarian cancer patients, providing hope for more women to survive beyond 18 months and preventing the familial spread of the disease. Despite its significance, uptake and success rates have been disappointingly low, especially among Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities. In an innovative response, a unique partnership has been formed between patients from Birmingham and Cambridge, and the Demonstration of Improvement for Molecular Ovarian Cancer Testing team. They have developed new methods of explaining complex treatment options, targeting hard-to-reach populations battling ovarian cancer. In an effort to bridge linguistic gaps and further promote inclusivity, all instructional materials and videos have been translated into numerous languages, including Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Polish and Romanian. The collaboration also incorporates the Pan-Birmingham Gynaecological Cancer Network, serving a diverse population of over 2.2 million. This partnership emphasises the critical role of patient expertise and inclusivity in the fight against ovarian cancer, signalling a landmark move towards improved patient outcomes.
Added 16 November 2022; updated 14 June 2023.