Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, honourable members.
On behalf of Ovarian Cancer Canada and all Canadians affected by ovarian cancer, I want to thank the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health for conducting this important women's health study and for inviting us to appear as witnesses.
Eight women a day are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Canada, with 75% of those being diagnosed as late stage. Ovarian cancer's five-year survival rate is only 44%. Four out of the eight women diagnosed today will not be here in five years.
There is no screening test. There is no definitive diagnostic test. There are few treatment options available. Women deserve better.
My colleague and I will be highlighting for this committee three of the challenges and associated opportunities regarding this disease from prevention to diagnosis to treatment.
The most effective way to impact ovarian cancer incidents and outcomes now is through prevention. While some believe that the Pap test screens for ovarian cancer, this is not the case. There is no screening test for this disease.
With an estimated 20% to 25% of ovarian cancers known to be hereditary, identifying those at risk through genetic testing and offering preventative or risk-reducing options will have a significant impact on saving lives now.
Ovarian Cancer Canada and our partners have revealed gaps and inequities regarding access to genetic testing including but not limited to regional variations in criteria and wait times, under-representation of individuals of Asian or indigenous origin, and racialized and ethnic individuals being less likely to be referred for genetic testing and more likely to receive inconclusive genetic test results.
We must maximize and optimize the identification of individuals at increased risk for ovarian cancer through timely and equitable access to genetic testing to stop ovarian cancer before it starts.