On-demand | Making a Difference: Expediting Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Program Release: December 16, 2020 Expiration Date: December 16, 2022 Estimated time to complete: 120 Minutes There are no prerequisites for participation Jointly Provided by Brown University and Rhode Island Department of Health In collaboration with The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, Women & Infants Hospital Program in Women's Oncology, University of Rhode Island, College of Nursing, Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium and Iowa Cancer Consortium This roundtable discussion, originally held live on December 2, 2020, was hosted by leading multidiscipline experts who reviewed patient presentation, symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, physical exam, and indicators and benefits for gynecologic oncology referral. It also illustrated the patient population at risk to carry a cancer genetic mutation and the importance of counseling for ovarian cancer predisposition and targeted treatment. Historically, ovarian cancer was called the silent killer because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies have proven this untrue and have recognized that identifying early symptoms can be critical in order to improve outcomes. It has now been shown that the following new and/or persistent symptoms are likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer, and at times in patients with early stage disease: bloating; pelvic or abdominal pain; difficulty eating or feeling full quickly; and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency). The presenting symptoms are often mistaken for something else like irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, constipation, or indigestion and this results in delayed diagnosis. Many women ignore or downplay important symptoms that can be critical for an earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Likewise, healthcare providers often do not recognize the urgency of evaluating symptoms and appropriate referral to a gynecologic oncologist improving overall prognosis and survival. Some patients may lack the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer but may have other or no presenting symptoms. When a woman is diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is over 90 percent, Due to ovarian cancer’s nonspecific symptoms and lack of early detection tests, only about 15 percent of cases are identified early (stage I or II). If detected at stage III or higher, the five-year survival rate can be as low as 28 percent.

After completing this course, the learner should be better able to: 

1. Identify the benefits of rapid referral of women with ovarian cancer to Gynecologic Oncologists.
2. Recognize the factors that influence staging of ovarian cancer at diagnosis.
3. Describe how expediting the process of differential diagnosis can improve overall outcomes.
4. Appreciate the importance of cancer genetic testing and counseling and its relationship to obtaining a comprehensive cancer family history.
5. Access tools to empower primary care providers and specialists to improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer.
6. Learn about other collaborative projects associated with this grant including RI’s Survivor’s Teaching Students® and projects completed through groups in Iowa and Michigan.

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION AND HOW TO RECEIVE CME CREDIT

There are no fees for participating in and receiving credit for this activity.

• Review the activity objectives, faculty information, and CME information prior to participating in the activity.
• Complete the pre-survey
• View the CME presentation
• Complete the CME activity evaluation at the conclusion of the activity in order to receive a credit certificate.

FACULTY DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the disclosure policy of the Brown University CME Office as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), speakers have been asked to disclose any relevant financial relationship with the manufacturers of any commercial products and/or provider of commercial services discussed in any educational presentation and with any commercial supporters or exhibitors of this activity.

The intent of this policy is not to prevent a speaker with a potential conflict of interest from making a presentation but to identified openly so that the listener may form his/her own opinion. Any potential conflicts of interest have been resolved prior to this presentation.

This activity may include discussion of off-label or investigative drugs uses. Speakers are aware that it is their responsibility to disclose to the audience this information. Individual Faculty Disclosure information may be found in the conference handouts.

Faculty Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

This educational activity does not include any content that relates to the products and/or services of a commercial interest that would create a conflict of interest.

The speaker below has disclosed that they have the following financial relationships:

Speaker: Don Dizon, MD receives consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Regeneron, and Clovis.

The following speaker(s) and activity planners have disclosed that they have no financial relationships:

Speakers: Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Bani Chander Roland, MD, FACG , Megan Daniel, Kristin Hubbard, MD, Robert Legare, MD, Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, FAAN , Matthew T. Oliver, MD, M. Teresa Paiva-Weed, JD, Audra Putt, Jennifer Scalia Wilbur, MS , Kristin Weeks, BS   

Planners:  George Andoscia, MPH, Megan Daniel, Linda Dziobek, RN, Joseph Dziobek, MSW, Norma V. Hardy, MEd, CHES, Donna J. MacDonald, BSN, RN, OCN, CCM, Jennifer Maloney, Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, FAAN, Matthew T. Oliver, MD, Jennifer Scalia Wilbur, MS, C. Kelly Smith, MSW, Maria Sullivan, Siana Wood, RN, BSN, CDOE

DISCLAIMER AND PRIVACY POLICY

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Disclaimer: This educational program is designed to present scientific information and opinion to Health professionals, to stimulate thought, and further investigation.