Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are able to access the best possible treatment.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, the Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement are aiming to offer personalised care to all cancer patients, providing greater choice and control on how their care is planned and delivered.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are commissioning a clinical audit into ovarian cancer to understand any variations in care, improve access to treatments and ensure the greatest impact on patient outcomes. NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Cancer Quality of Life Survey collates information from patients on their quality of life and assist cancer teams to improve cancer care and outcomes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the importance of a shortened referral pathway for ovarian cancer where a CA125 blood test and ultrasound are carried out at the same time.

Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The National Health Service is considering the most effective use of diagnostic testing, including the use of CA125 blood test and ultrasound early in the suspected ovarian cancer pathway.