17 Oct 2008
Gynaecological Cancer Clinical Forum – meeting the needs of women with ovarian cancer
The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Gynaecological Oncology Network (former GMCT) and the Cancer Institute NSW held a joint one day forum to discuss and demonstrate the ideal multidisciplinary care gynaecological oncology patients should receive. The day also featured the launch of the Clinical Best Practice Gynaecological Cancer Palliative Care 2008 document.
Click here to download the summary workshop report.
The videos below are a training session on ovarian cancer, where
we follow the patient journey through various courses that people
can take. In these videos, a multi-disciplinary panel of experts
consider their patients in a thought provoking hypothetical
moderated by Dr Norman Swan.
This work is a production of the Cancer Institute NSW and the
ACI.
Diagnosis and treatment
Part One - Joanna
Joanna is a 38 year old mother of two. She lives on the family
farm in a small country town. In this video, Joanna visits her
local GP to discuss some bloating and unusual bowel function.
Part Two - Julia
Julia, 56, lives in an exclusive Sydney suburb. In this video
she is visiting her gynaecologist for a regular check-up. Julia has
read about the CA215 - a blood test which measures a protein that
when elevated may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer. While
Julia has no symptoms, she asks her gynaecologist to perform a
CA125 test.
Part Three - Jennifer
Jennifer, 42, visits her GP, fearful that she is sick. She
appears to have a family history of ovarian cancer and complains of
bloating and fatigue.
Part Four - Joanna
Joanna revisits her GP complaining of strong abdominal pain. Her
GP recommends further tests.
Part Five - Joanna
Joanna is now referred to a gynaecological oncologist. She is
told that the results of her tests indicate the likelihood of
ovarian cancer. The gynaecological oncologist discusses possible
treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy.
Part Six - Julia
Julia returns to her gynaecologist to receive the results of her
CA125 and a subsequent scan. Her doctor informs her that the CA125
was elevated and that the scan had revealed a concerning growth.
Julia is referred to a gynaecological cancer surgeon.
Part Seven - Joanna
Joanna speaks to a social worker after her surgery to remove a
tumour. She is worried about returning to life on the farm and the
next stage of her treatment.
Living with ovarian cancer
Part One - Julia
Julia has had surgery and chemotherapy. After nine months of
treatment she is referred back to her gynaecological oncologist
after an elevated CA125.
Part Two - Julia
It is now 18-months since Julia's surgery. She is on her fourth
line of chemotherapy and is not coping well. She visits a
psychologist.
Palliative and end-of-life care
Part One - Joanna
It's now one year since Joanna's surgery. She is home in Dubbo
and returns to her GP complaining of constant pain, swelling, heart
burn, vomiting and unusual bowel function. Her GP consults with a
medical oncologist.
Part Two - Julia
Julia is in hospital with an inoperable bowel obstruction. She
is visted by a palliative care physician.
Part Three - Joanna
Joanna is visited at home by a palliative care nurse. They
discuss plans for Joanna and her family as she prepares for the
final phase of her cancer.
Event details and registration
Please note:
Events publicised on this website align to the goals and objectives of the NSW Cancer Plan 2011-2015, are evidence-based, not-for profit and are conducted by:
- Professional colleges
- Cancer councils
- State-based, national and international cancer control organisations and agencies.
- Cancer or health services
- Government organisations
- Academic institutions.
The Cancer Institute NSW will consider events that meet this criteria on a case-by-case basis, and will not support activities or groups that do not comply with strict evidence-based principles.
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