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Our research into ovarian cancer

Our research is saving lives

Survival from ovarian cancer has almost doubled over the last 40 years in the UK. We’re proud of the role we’ve played in helping more women survive – from developing the drug carboplatin, to identifying mistakes in genes (including BRCA1 and BRCA2) that increase ovarian cancer risk. Almost half of the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer now survive beyond 5 years, but we know we must do more for the women whose cancers don't respond to treatment.

A researcher taking a test tube from one of the racks of test tubes at Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology.

Current research

From studying the biology of ovarian cancer cells in the lab to leading clinical trials testing cutting-edge treatments, our researchers are working hard to ensure more women survive ovarian cancer.

Find out more about our current research

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Past research

Thanks to research, we’ve helped change the outlook for women with ovarian cancer.

Find out more about past research

Explore our timeline of research into ovarian cancer

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Patients' stories

Meet people like Gillian who have experienced first-hand how our research is making a difference. The life-saving research we do wouldn’t be possible without your support.

Read stories from ovarian cancer patients

Our strategy

Over the last 40 years, cancer survival in the UK has doubled. In the 1970s just 1 in 4 people survived their disease for 10 years or more. Today 2 in 4 survive.

We want to accelerate progress and see 3 in 4 patients surviving the disease by 2034.

Read more about our strategy

Cancer news

Cancer News

Browse the latest news, analysis and opinion from Cancer Research UK.

Further information

Want to find more information about our research or ovarian cancer?

Find out more about clinical trials

More about the symptoms and treatments for ovarian cancer