21 Annual Report 2021 What we need to do from here Unanimously, researchers, those living with ovarian cancer, and clinicians all agree the key to improving survival rates lies in an early detection method. Following that, researchers and clinicians say finding more treatment options and ways to prevent the disease from coming back is a priority. For those living with ovarian cancer and their families, stopping the disease from spreading and recurring is the priority. If we are going to find solutions, there is an urgent need for more comprehensive research. We need: A national approach to clinical best practice. While the national 5- year survival rate is 46 per cent, currently each state and territory in Australia has different rates with some states reporting 5-year survival rates above 50 per cent. We need to quickly establish a best practice approach nationally, reduce variation in care, expand awareness of ovarian cancer risk and uptake of preventative surgery by high-risk women. A greater understanding of what causes the disease and its fundamental biology. Importantly, this includes funding research to better understand disease progression. More research into treatment options. We need to invest in the development of precision medicine capabilities in ovarian cancer and better understanding of how to best prevent disease recurrence. More funding allocated to early detection research. We need a way to identify early indicators of ovarian cancer more clearly, particularly among those at high risk. More funding allocated to prevention research. We need to better understand the role of lifestyle and environmental factors in ovarian cancer development so that we can start to prevent the disease before it occurs. 46% of all funding has gone into research for treatment. Excluding industry-led trials, research into treatment has accounted for nearly half of all funding. 24% of funding has gone to understanding the disease biology. A quarter of all funding invested in understanding the complex nature of the disease. 7% of funding has been allocated for research into early detection. Not only has there been limited funding for early detection, but 49 per cent of that figure has been funded by the OCRF. 5% has been put towards prevention. 18% has been directed to infrastructure. This includes biobanking capabilities and fellowships. Where is funding currently spent? Most of the funding for ovarian cancer research in Australia has gone towards improving what we know about the disease and developing new treatments. We need a national approach to research so we can more quickly find an early detection method, and ways to stop the disease in its tracks. We want a future that is free of ovarian cancer, and we need a national and collaborative research program to get there.