Pathfinder Scotland

Pathfinder Scotland provides an up-to-date snapshot of Scotland’s ovarian cancer landscape.

Pathfinder is Target Ovarian Cancer’s ground-breaking research that provides a detailed picture of the experiences of those with ovarian cancer in the UK.

It provides an up-to-date snapshot of Scotland's ovarian cancer landscape. We'll use the findings of this unique study to ensure that we continue to deliver the maximum impact for everyone with ovarian cancer in Scotland.    

Read Pathfinder Scotland

 

What did we find out?

Pathfinder Scotland discovered that

  • 45%

    45%

    of women in Scotland

    wrongly believe that cervical screening detects ovarian cancer

  • 6%

    6%

    of women in Scotland

    said they were very confident in naming symptoms

  • 44%

    44%

    of those surveyed

    were never asked about the impact of their treatment on their mental health

A headshot image of Target Ovarian Cancer CEO Annwen Jones OBE
Ovarian cancer must become a health priority for progress to be made. It is unacceptable that awareness of symptoms is still so low and that women do not feel they are given sufficient time to discuss their devastating diagnosis with healthcare professionals.
Annwen Jones OBE, Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer
Pathfinder Scotland Methodology

Women who received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer during or after 2016: Our last Pathfinder research was conducted in 2016 and this survey aimed to understand the experiences of those diagnosed since then. It was hosted online by Target Ovarian Cancer between February and May 2022 and received 39 responses from across Scotland .This was a self-selecting group, who chose to complete the survey, which was promoted to as wide a group as possible.  

Public Awareness: The awareness survey was carried out by our research partner Survation who interviewed, by phone, 133 women across the Scotland, using an adaptation of the Ovarian Cancer Awareness measure.

UK GPs:  44 GPs in Scotland  were surveyed online between April and May 2022. The sample was taken from the membership of Doctors.net which is free and gives doctors access to forums, Continuous Professional Development and wider resources.  

The Pathfinder Advisory Panel

Chair: Professor Sudha Sundar - immediate past president British Gynaecological Cancer Society and Professor of Gynaecological Cancer, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham  

Our patient reviewers:  Pauline, Helen, Vicky, Sophie, Lisa, and Lorraine.

Dr Shibani Nicum - Associate Professor of Oncology/ Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist - University College London Cancer Institute

Helen Manderville- Macmillan Gynaecological Oncology Nurse Specialist, Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre

Lisa Young - Macmillan Lead Gynae Cancer CNS, Wessex Cancer Alliance

Dr Nina Craft- General Practitioner, Woodbrooke Medical Practice, Belfast