The Ovarian Cancer Institute is dedicated to enlightening medical professionals, teaching them to recognize the symptoms of ovarian cancer in its earliest stages. Twenty-seven thousand women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 with a five-year survival rate between 25 and 30%. All too frequently, early detection of ovarian cancer is delayed due to misleading symptoms. By the time the diagnosis is made, 70% of patients will be in Stage III or IV with metastatic recurrent disease despite ultra-radical surgery and chemotherapy.

There are no screening tools and there are usually no symptoms in the early stages of this disease. It is not uncommon for patients to pursue medical care for vague and abstract symptoms for up to one year, prior to the final diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

A primary objective of the Ovarian Cancer Institute is to enable general practitioners to recognize these symptoms as potential early warning signs of this dreaded disease and to refer the patient to the appropriate specialist (a gynecologic oncologist) immediately. OCI sponsors seminars, symposia and lectures for physicians and other members of the medical field on all aspects of ovarian cancer, especially early detection. These programs are conducted by esteemed professionals in the field who maintain an in-depth knowledge of this disease and the many complexitites that it creates in the life of a patient and those who care for her.

If you would like more information on our education programs, please contact us at: 678-420-4143 or elizabeth.king@cos.gatech.edu