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ON-DEMAND | MAKING A DIFFERENCE: EXPEDITING DIAGNOSIS OF OVARIAN CANCER
This roundtable discussion, originally held live on December 2, 2020, was hosted by leading multidiscipline experts who reviewed patient presentation, symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, physical exam, and indicators and benefits for gynecologic oncology referral. It also illustrated the patient population at risk to carry a cancer genetic mutation and the importance of counseling for ovarian cancer predisposition and targeted treatment.
Historically, ovarian cancer was called the silent killer because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies have proven this untrue and have recognized that identifying early symptoms can be critical in order to improve outcomes. It has now been shown that the following new and/or persistent symptoms are likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer, and at times in patients with early stage disease: bloating; pelvic or abdominal pain; difficulty eating or feeling full quickly; and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency).
The presenting symptoms are often mistaken for something else like irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, constipation, or indigestion and this results in delayed diagnosis. Many women ignore or downplay important symptoms that can be critical for an earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Likewise, healthcare providers often do not recognize the urgency of evaluating symptoms and appropriate referral to a gynecologic oncologist improving overall prognosis and survival. Some patients may lack the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer but may have other or no presenting symptoms.
When a woman is diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is over 90 percent, Due to ovarian cancer’s nonspecific symptoms and lack of early detection tests, only about 15 percent of cases are identified early (stage I or II). If detected at stage III or higher, the five-year survival rate can be as low as 28 percent.
Target Audience
Physicians and Physician Specialists (gynecologists, gastroenterologists), Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Medical Students, Residents, Fellows and other allied healthcare professionals engaged in the care of women as well as insurers, policy makers, public health professionals, cancer advocacy organizations.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the learner should be better able to:
- Identify the benefits of rapid referral of women with ovarian cancer to Gynecologic Oncologists.
- Recognize the factors that influence staging of ovarian cancer at diagnosis.
- Describe how expediting the process of differential diagnosis can improve overall outcomes.
- Appreciate the importance of cancer genetic testing and counseling and its relationship to obtaining a comprehensive cancer family history.
- Access tools to empower primary care providers and specialists to improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer.
- Learn about other collaborative projects associated with this grant including RI’s Survivor’s Teaching Students® and projects completed through groups in Iowa and Michigan.
Additional Information
PRESENTERS
Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH
Director, Rhode Island Department of Health
Providence, RI
Bani Chander Roland, MD, FACG
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Clinician Educator
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Center for Women's Gastrointestinal Health
Women & Infants Hospital | Providence, RI
Megan Daniel
Administrator for Community Partnerships
Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island | Providence, RI
Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO
Professor of Medicine (Research Scholar)
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Director of Women's Cancers | Lifespan Cancer Institute
Clinical Director, Gynecologic Medical Oncology and Director of Medical Oncology
Rhode Island Hospital | Providence, RI
Kristen Hubbard, MD
Internist, Coastal Medical
Providence, RI
Robert Legare, MD
Associate Professor, Clinical Medicine (Medical Oncology)
Yale School of Medicine
Medical Director, Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center
Yale New Haven Health | Westerly, RI and Waterford, CT
Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor, College of Nursing
University of Rhode Island | Kingston, RI
Matthew T. Oliver, MD
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Program in Women's Oncology
Women & Infants Hospital | Providence, RI
M. Teresa Paiva-Weed, JD
President, Hospital Association of Rhode Island
Providence, RI
Audra Putt, MPH, CPH
Palliative Care Consultant (Public Health Consultant)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services | Lansing, MI
Jennifer Scalia Wilbur, MS
Teaching Associate in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Clinical Program Manager, Program in Women's Oncology
Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program
Women & Infants Hospital | Providence, RI
Kristen Weeks, BS
MD & PhD Candidate
University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA
Planning Committee
George Andoscia, MPH
Policy, Systems & Environmental Change Specialist
Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Rhode Island Department of Health
Megan Daniel
Administrator for Community Partnerships
Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island | Providence, RI
Linda Dziobek, RN
Cancer Survivor and Advocate | South Kingstown, RI
Joseph Dziobek, MSW
Director, Partnership to Reduce Cancer in RI
Providence, RI
Norma V. Hardy, MEd, CHES
Cancer Survivor | Providence, RI
Donna J. MacDonald, BSN, RN, OCN, CCM
RN-Case Manager - Oncology
Women & Infants Hospital | Providence, RI
Jennifer Maloney
Office of Continuing Medical Education
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University | Providence, RI
Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor, College of Nursing
University of Rhode Island | Kingston, RI
Matthew T. Oliver, MD
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Program in Women's Oncology
Women & Infants Hospital | Providence, RI
Jennifer Scalia Wilbur, MS
Teaching Associate in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Clinical Program Manager, Program in Women's Oncology
Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program
Women & Infants Hospital | Providence, RI
C. Kelly Smith, MSW
Manager, Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Rhode Island Department of Health
Providence, RI
Maria Sullivan
Director, Office of Continuing Medical Education
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University | Providence, RI
Siana Wood, RN, BSN, CDOE
Nurse Planner, Office of Continuing Medical Education
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University | Providence, RI
FACULTY DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the disclosure policy of the Brown University CME Office as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), speakers have been asked to disclose any relevant financial relationship with the manufacturers of any commercial products and/or provider of commercial services discussed in any educational presentation and with any commercial supporters or exhibitors of this activity.
The intent of this policy is not to prevent a speaker with a potential conflict of interest from making a presentation but to identified openly so that the listener may form his/her own opinion. Any potential conflicts of interest have been resolved prior to this presentation.
This activity may include discussion of off-label or investigative drugs uses. Speakers are aware that it is their responsibility to disclose to the audience this information. Individual Faculty Disclosure information may be found in the conference handouts.
Faculty Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
This educational activity does not include any content that relates to the products and/or services of a commercial interest that would create a conflict of interest.
The speaker below has disclosed that they have the following financial relationships:
Speaker: Don Dizon, MD receives consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Regeneron, and Clovis.
The following speaker(s) and activity planners have disclosed that they have no financial relationships:
Speakers: Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Bani Chander Roland, MD, FACG , Megan Daniel, Kristin Hubbard, MD, Robert Legare, MD, Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, FAAN , Matthew T. Oliver, MD, M. Teresa Paiva-Weed, JD, Audra Putt, Jennifer Scalia Wilbur, MS , Kristin Weeks, BS
Planners: George Andoscia, MPH, Megan Daniel, Linda Dziobek, RN, Joseph Dziobek, MSW, Norma V. Hardy, MEd, CHES, Donna J. MacDonald, BSN, RN, OCN, CCM, Jennifer Maloney, Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, FAAN, Matthew T. Oliver, MD, Jennifer Scalia Wilbur, MS, C. Kelly Smith, MSW, Maria Sullivan, Siana Wood, RN, BSN, CDOE
Physicians
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Rhode Island Department of Health. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Nurses
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Northeast Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
AVAILABLE CREDIT
2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
2.00 ANCC
This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Northeast Multistate Division, an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
2.00 Attendance
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance stating this program is designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. This credit is accepted by the AAPA and AANP.
Available Credit
- 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 2.00 ANCC
- 2.00 Attendance
This course is offered through Brown Alpert Medical School.
To take this course you will be redirected to Brown Alpert Medical School's website. You must login or create an account with Brown Alpert Medical School in order to complete this activity.
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