IMPERATIVE NEED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH OVARIAN CANCER. ANZGOG Chair gives stark assessment on late diagnosis, limited treatment options and significantly low survival rates
With
Professor Clare Scott, Chair
Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) &
Clinician Scientist
WEHI The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research &
Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Australian Health Journal Talk
Filmed Online | April 2025
Professor Clare Scott, a pioneering clinician scientist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, also serves as a medical oncologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and the Royal Women’s Hospital.
Her comprehensive training in medical oncology has fuelled her specialisation in gynaecological cancer, combining rigorous research with clinical trials to improve patient outcomes. With over a decade of involvement in ANZGOG, Australia’s foremost gynaecologic cancer research organisation, she is deeply committed to advancing research and saving lives.
ANZGOG’s values—excellence, impact, equity, collaboration, and openness—reflect the organisation’s dedication to transformative cancer research. Its strategic plan is designed around four comprehensive goals, aiming to initiate innovative, practice-changing gynaecological cancer research. This not only expands the reach of impactful studies but also ensures that research directly benefits the community, ultimately improving the lives of countless women affected by these cancers.
Ovarian cancer, a complex and diverse group of diseases, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment. While high-grade serous ovarian cancer is often highlighted, other rare types also demand critical attention. With projections indicating over 1,800 Australian women will be diagnosed by 2025, and a startling survival rate of just under 50%, Professor Scott talks of the need to rally together to confront this pressing public health issue. Tragically, two-thirds of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, diminishing survival prospects further. As of now, around 5,300 Australian women live with ovarian cancer, facing ongoing challenges that necessitate urgent action and support.
In this Australian Health Journal Talk, Professor Scott talks in detail about the following –
- The incidence of ovarian cancer in Australian women and mortality statistics around advanced stage diagnosis
- The symptoms and why they get dismissed or misdiagnosed
- The challenges in access to screening, treatment and funding for research
She also delivers a message to the medical community and the Australian Government.
Source: Generative AI on transcript
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Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite on patient safety and health systems improvement
Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite is Founding Director of the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Director of the Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science and Professor of Health Systems Research at Macquarie University.
Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite is a leading health services and systems researcher with an international reputation for his work investigating and contributing to systems improvement.
The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) recently announced it will award the 2021 Sidney Sax medal for outstanding contributions to the development and improvement of Australia’s healthcare system to Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite.
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From paediatric nursing to leadership & private hospital general management
With over 20 years of experience in the Australian and international healthcare sectors, Georgia Banks is a dedicated and results-driven health professional with a proven track record in clinical, financial, human resources, and strategic management. Passionate about delivering high-quality patient care, Georgia possesses an authentic leadership style that fosters engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Currently serving as General Manager at Hobart Private Hospital within Healthscope, Georgia has been instrumental in driving operational excellence, enhancing patient experience, and supporting staff development. Her leadership has played a key role in aligning hospital services with strategic priorities while fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.
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Surgeon-scientist path laid for medical device research
In 2022, Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace AO and Professor Mukherjee jointly established Beyond Science as a clinician led, academically supported and clinician run Australian-first medical technology translation program.
The program is aimed at early career researchers and clinician-scientists working in medical device research specifically in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), head and neck surgery.
