What to know
CDC conducted a project to learn about the best ways to increase the number of ovarian cancer patients who are treated by a gynecologic oncologist. This project was done to help more women with ovarian cancer get the best treatment.
Purpose
Women with ovarian cancer who are treated by gynecologic oncologists have better outcomes. Three award recipients in CDC's National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP)—Iowa, Michigan, and Rhode Island—worked on this project.
The purpose of this project was to:
- Deepen the evidence base for strategies that have promise for increasing gynecologic oncologist treatment for ovarian cancer.
- Increase the number of women with ovarian cancer who are treated by a gynecologic oncologist.
- Demonstrate how NCCCP award recipients are uniquely positioned in the local community to implement environmental and health system change strategies that support best practices in ovarian cancer care.
Each site selected promising strategies for this project based on feasibility of implementation and the needs of its local population.
Strategic approaches implemented by demonstration site
| Approach | Iowa | Michigan | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increasing knowledge and awareness of the role and importance of gynecologic oncologists | |||
| Provider education | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Patient education | Yes | Yes | No |
| General public education | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Partnerships | No | No | Yes |
| Improving models of care | |||
| Referral systems | Yes | No | No |
| Patient navigation | No | Yes | No |
| Expanding or enhancing the gynecologic oncologist workforce | |||
| Use of survivors in teaching students | No | No | Yes |
Project resources
CDC developed several resources from this project to help comprehensive cancer control planners use similar approaches to help women with ovarian cancer.
- Infographic: Visual overview of the project's goals, methods, and outcomes.
- Toolkit: Provides guidance to NCCCP award recipients, their coalitions, and partners on how to increase referrals to gynecologic oncologists within their jurisdiction.
- Action plan: Provides guidance to NCCCP award recipients, their coalitions, and partners on how to increase referrals to gynecologic oncologists within their jurisdiction.
- State-specific mini-guides: Detailed reports from Iowa, Rhode Island, and Michigan on their project implementation and evaluation findings, and also an in-depth look at the strategic approach and lessons learned from Iowa and Rhode Island.
- Bright spots: Detailed highlights from Iowa and Rhode Island on key successes of their implementation.
- Podcasts: Short discussions with Iowa and Rhode Island about why they participated in this project and the collaborations, partnerships, notable successes, and sustainability of this work moving forward.