The latest National Ovarian Cancer Audit taken in 2021 shows 77% of those with ovarian cancer are surviving at least one year after their diagnosis in the county, with only Barts Health NHS Trust ranking higher.

Jo Morrison, a gynaecological-oncology consultant at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘To come second in the country for ovarian cancer survival rates is an incredible achievement. Our 12-month survival rates are similar to those in the best-performing countries internationally, such as Norway and Denmark.'

The National Ovarian Cancer Audit was launched following concerns cancer survival rates in the UK weren't as good as in other countries in Europe.

Barts finished in first place for one-year survival rates in the audit and topped five-year survival rates in 2023.

The work was originally driven by clinicians and patient support groups who wanted to improve outcomes through understanding of why there was so much variation across the country.

Morrison added: ‘Thanks to the support of the British Gynaecological Cancer Society and the ovarian cancer charities, we contributed to a national pilot audit, which demonstrated big differences between centres across the UK.

‘This national audit has now been adopted by the NHS, through the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre, so it will continue long-term.'