WATCH VIDEO: Community Conversation on Ovarian Cancer

UPDATE (SEPTEMBER 30, 2021): This event has concluded, but you can now watch a recording of the event above

On September 24, the Duke Cancer Institute Office of Health Equity presents the next event in its signature "Conversations with Our Community" series. The event — titled "Ovarian Cancer Signs & Symptoms, Early Detection, and Treatment Overview" — is targeted at community members.

Ovarian cancer is a group of diseases that originates in the ovaries, or in the related areas of the fallopian tubes and the peritoneum. There is no screening test for ovarian cancer, and only about 20% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. When ovarian cancer is found early, about 94% of patients live longer than five years after diagnosis.

The hour-long discussion, held in conjunction with Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (September), will feature DCI medical oncologists Angeles Alvarez Secord, MD, MHSc, and Rafael Gonzalez, MD — both of whom specialize in the research and treatment of gynecological cancers — as well as DCI genetics counselor Maggie (Powell) Frazier, MS, CGC, and an ovarian cancer survivor.

Kearston Ingraham, MPH, research program evaluator for OHE, will serve as moderator.

Meet the Speakers

Angeles Alvarez Secord, MD, MHSc,is a practicing medical oncologist specializing in female-specific cancers, a professor in the Duke Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and associate director of Clinical Research in the DCI Gynecologic Cancer Disease Group.

Secord's clinical research interests include the utilization of anti-angiogenic therapies and/or molecularly-targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes, minimize unnecessary toxicity, and positively impact quality of life.

She also specializes in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for women with endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancers as well as for benign gynecologic conditions.

"I offer my patients access to variety of treatments ... I enjoy my work on female cancers, because it is one of the few sub-specialties to blend surgery and chemotherapy. It also gives me the chance to develop strong relationships with my patients, since I get to take care of my patients before and during their surgery, as well as continue to see them for the rest of their lifetime."

Rafael Gonzalez, MD, is a clinical fellow in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology whose research focuses on surgical outcomes.

Maggie (Powell) Frazier, MS, CGC, is a certified genetics counselor with Duke Clinical Cancer Genetics at DCI. As a certified genetic counselor, she helps patients better understand their risk for developing cancer and provides guidance on how to turn this information into action in order to reduce cancer occurrence or increase early detection in patient and their family members.

"Whether you have already been diagnosed with cancer, have a diagnosis of a hereditary cancer syndrome, or have a family history of cancer, I can navigate you through the role of genetic testing, risk analysis, and connecting you with the experienced specialists you may need.