Ovarian cancer, often called the “silent killer,” is one of the deadliest and most difficult cancers to detect early. By the time it’s diagnosed, it’s often too late, with the cancer having spread, leading to limited treatment options and significantly reduced survival rates. However, a groundbreaking new initiative is offering fresh hope.
The Ovaries. Talk About Them. campaign, now in its final year, is driving the development of the world’s first early detection blood test for ovarian cancer.
This life-saving test is set to reach clinical trials by 2026. For siblings Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman, co-founders of the renowned Australian fashion brand, Camilla and Marc, the cause is deeply personal. They lost their mother to ovarian cancer when they were just 11 and 13, a tragedy that has fuelled their commitment to the mission.
Since launching in 2019, the campaign has raised over $2.5 million through fashion sales and public donations. These funds have directly supported the work of Professor Caroline Ford and her all-female team at the UNSW Gynaecological Cancer Research Group.
Their research has identified three specific DNA biomarkers unique to ovarian cancer cells. These biomarkers are being combined into a single blood test in a process called multiplexing, which will detect even the smallest traces of tumour DNA in the bloodstream.
“We’re on the verge of a scientific breakthrough that could fundamentally change outcomes for people with ovarian cancer around the world. Early detection is the missing piece—and we’re closer than ever to delivering it,” says Professor Caroline Ford, UNSW.
The potential of this test to detect ovarian cancer before it spreads is a game changer. If detected in its localised form, the cancer can be surgically removed, offering a much higher chance of a permanent cure.
The Ovaries. Talk About Them. campaign has also raised global awareness, sparking vital conversations about ovarian cancer, a disease that has long been underfunded and under-discussed. This year, the campaign is fronted by Italian model Bianca Balti, who was diagnosed with stage III C ovarian cancer in 2024, just two years after undergoing a preventive double mastectomy.
Camilla Freeman-Topper, Creative Director of Camilla and Marc, says, “We are incredibly optimistic that the wonderfully capable team is on track to take the first early detection test to clinical trial by 2026. Now, we need everyone to show up like never before, for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. If we get this across the line, we could change the future of women’s health globally.”
Marc Freeman, CEO of Camilla and Marc, adds, “This campaign started as a personal mission—to fund a test that didn’t exist. Through the incredible commitment of our community, this dream is now within reach. We set a bold goal, but this campaign is an incredible example of what we can achieve when purpose drives business.”
This year’s Ovaries. Talk About Them. collection reflects the urgency of the cause. The minimal, pared back design is a visual reflection of the raw clarity the campaign stands for, keeping the conversation where it matters most: front and centre. Every purchase supports the final stages of developing the early detection test, bringing the world closer to a major breakthrough.
The campaign also underscores the critical role of women in science. Dr. Kristina Warton, a key researcher, shares, “Working as part of an all-female team of researchers has made us think more broadly about how the test will be used in the real world. We’ve been particularly mindful of female physiology as we developed the test to ensure its effectiveness.”
With clinical trials approaching, the campaign calls on supporters to help bring this life-changing test to fruition. Whether through donations, purchases, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. The Ovaries. Talk About Them. collection will be available from August 25, both online and in-store, with all proceeds dedicated to funding this groundbreaking research.
This is more than a campaign—it’s a movement that could save countless lives. After all, it all begins with ovaries.
Shop marie claire’s edit below, or view the entire collection at camillaandmarc.com.
