A new podcast, Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story, has launched to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Hannah Vaughan Jones, the podcast is produced by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and aims to highlight the challenges and progress surrounding the most lethal of female cancers.
The series features survivors, advocates, clinicians, and global health leaders, who share lived experiences and strategies to improve outcomes for women worldwide. It is designed not only for women and families affected by ovarian cancer, but also for policymakers and the public, to drive greater awareness and investment in women’s health.
The first episode, Be A Drama Queen, explores the wider picture of diagnosis and stigma. Vaughan Jones speaks to Clara MacKay, CEO of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and British broadcaster and campaigner Sbba Siddique, who was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2023 after months of symptoms being dismissed.
“Ovarian cancer has suffered the same neglect as many less common and harder-to-treat cancers. It has been chronically under-resourced and overlooked,” said Clara MacKay. “We must be far more ambitious for women with ovarian cancer.”
Sbba Siddique shared her own experience: “My diagnosis was six months in the making, and it was traumatic. I was continually going back and forth with my GP who was just dismissing me.” Now she uses her voice to encourage women to insist on being heard. “You know your body better than absolutely anybody else… Trust your gut, know your normal, and seek help.”
Host Hannah Vaughan Jones emphasised the wider mission: “This podcast is about amplifying voices, breaking down stigma, and inspiring action. By sharing these stories, we hope to change not just the narrative but also the future of ovarian cancer.”
Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story launches today, 20 September on World Gynecologic Oncology Day – World GO Day, and is available now on all major podcast platforms.
