Ovarian Cancer

Primary Care Knowledge Boost

Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to GP Dr Charlotte Bădescu about Ovarian Cancer. We focus on the important learning points about cardinal and other features of presentations to better understand this cancer as an abdominal cancer with symptoms that can and do often present much earlier than the diagnosis is often picked up. She talks us through the value of CA125 tests and the reasons not to be overly reliant on them, though they can be a useful tool in the tool box. The usefulness of ultrasound scans, both pelvic and transvaginal, as well as clinician continuity is discussed. We go through 2 hypothetical cases based on real examples as well as Charlotte’s own diagnosis. An excellent episode for picking up great learning points to avoid missing this diagnosis in your own patients.

You can use these podcasts as part of your CPD - we don’t do certificates but they still count :)

Useful resources:

• NICE Guidelines: Suspected Cancer, Recognition and Referral (Dec 2021): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12/chapter/Recommendations-organised-by-site-of-cancer#gynaecological-cancers
• NICE guidelines on Ovarian Cancer (Published April 2011): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg122
• GP network & resources: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/health-professionals/GPs
• Nurses network & resources: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/health-professionals/nurses
• Patient resources: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/support-for-you
• Shine Cancer Support: https://shinecancersupport.org/
• ForteenFish Free Ovarian Cancer Webinar (you will need to log-on and search Ovarian Cancer): https://www.fourteenfish.com/

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This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Wigan CCG. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions.

The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.

Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.

The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.