From the CEO
Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Teal Journal: The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Periodical of Progress. For the past fourteen years, OCNA has been at the forefront of advocating for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. As the national voice on Capitol Hill, we have played a significant role in raising the level of funding allocated for research into ovarian cancer. We walk the halls of Congress, share our stories with the medical community and are a force for change among the entire ovarian community.
Now, we embark on another new front, the launch of The Teal Journal. This online Periodical evolved from our recognition of the need to construct a bridge spanning the gap between complex scientific journals and their specific meanings for the ovarian community.
In each quarterly issue we will explore themes that are topical and relevant in terms of research and clinical care, including: interviews with researchers/scientists working on the leading edge of new; an “Ask the Expert” column; summaries of current or just released scientific or medical information; and a review of legislative issues that affect women with ovarian cancer.
We designed The Teal Journal: The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Periodical of Progress to be both interactive and proactive. Interactive, because we are doing all we can to engage the entire ovarian cancer community. We are accomplishing this by asking for your ideas and suggestions and inviting a guest expert for each issue.
Proactive, because we are engaging with many laboratories, research centers and individuals whom we believe are working at the cutting edge of solving the mystery of ovarian cancer. We will report on what we find, even if it is occasionally controversial. With your assistance we hope to start a dialogue and bring attention, through other journalists and publications, to the issues we face and to raise further awareness of ovarian cancer: the need for more funding for research, the need for education, the need for answers.
Dr. Beth Karlan, a nationally renowned leader in the diagnosis and treatment of women’s reproductive cancers at the Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles, is our first expert invited to answer your questions. One of the questions she answers is whether or not surgery is necessary for every patient suspected of being diagnosed ovarian cancer.
At the end of the article there is a place for you to submit your comments and your questions to be answered in future columns.
A visit to a laboratory and a talk with a researcher will also appear in each issue. Dr. Elise Kohn answers questions about CA-125 and why we may never have a cure for ovarian cancer. She discusses, in detail, two clinical trials currently on-going at the National Cancer Institute. Her answers will surprise you. Clinical trials at the National Cancer Institute are open to all women and Dr. Kohn provides information about enrolling in them.
Although millions of dollars have been spent on research into ovarian cancer, there is still not a screening test or an across the board method for early detection. Dr. Noah Kauff, through a frank discussion with OCNA, talks about how to understand your personal risk of developing ovarian cancer so you can be proactive in reducing your chances of being diagnosed.
We hope to hear from you and encourage you to share your thoughts so we are sure The Teal Journal: The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Periodical of Progress has information that will be of valuable to you. If there is something we should cover, please let us know.
If you are a researcher or a doctor and have an idea for an article, please submit an abstract in the space that is provided below.
