OVARIAN CANCER

When identified and treated at an early stage, the five-year survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer is approximately 49 percent. Unfortunately, most ovarian cancers are not identified until an advanced stage, when they are more difficult to treat. Survival rate at five years for advanced (distant) ovarian cancer is 29 percent.

Multiple factors make early diagnosis a challenge, including a lack of symptoms in early stages and the fact that symptoms are not specific to a cancer diagnosis. Additionally, there is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer.

To address these gaps, ACCC launched a multi-phase initiative to improve care delivery for ovarian cancer in the United States in 2019. The project was guided by an expert multidisciplinary Steering Committee, which included gynecologic oncologists, pathologists, genetic counselors, nurse navigators, social workers, and cancer program administration.

Key takeaways included:

• Top priorities for quality improvement included genetic testing and counseling, clinical trial enrollment, and coordinated care across the multidisciplinary care team.
• A focused and structured QI approach, where consensus is built around a problem and solution, can address a specific quality issue in a relatively short time.
• Multiple stakeholders can contribute to QI solutions with a team approach and clear communication around quality gaps.

Now in phase II, ACCC is partnering with cancer programs to support care coordination and communication within the multidisciplinary cancer care team by implementing practice improvement plans that address identified barriers and challenges.