The Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP is a member of the group, which works closely with Target Ovarian Cancer, and has been closely involved with the group's work, as well as making a powerful speech referring to ovarian cancer as a 'silent national scandal'.
In a statement to the AGM, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: "I wish to thank the Group for all they are doing to improve health outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. Last year, at a debate tabled by Members of the Group, and during a meeting with the Group, Members made a compelling case for piloting a campaign on ovarian cancer, in order to tackle low awareness of symptoms and delayed diagnosis of this cancer. I undertook to consider this within the context of the Department's budget planning, and negotiations with the Cabinet Office Efficiency Reform Group about our campaign plans for cancer in 2012/13 and made a commitment to come back to the APPG.
"I am now pleased to inform the Group that we are moving ahead with the remainder of our campaign plans this year and the Department can now pilot a public awareness campaign focusing on ovarian cancer signs. We plan to run local pilots in 3 different parts of the country early in 2013 between January and March and we will work with stakeholders including the ovarian cancer charities to confirm the key symptom messages for the campaign and how best to support primary healthcare professionals locally who will need to able to prepare for the campaign. Running local pilots first allows us to pilot new cancer sites to see if they are at least feasible, before being scaled up to regional and national level if viable.
"I am also pleased to announce that we are scoping a Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) survivorship survey focusing on ovarian cancer. The survey will enable the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative and local services to identify how quality of life can be improved for individuals and to help plan care for individual patients; assess quality of care in individual services; and measure progress on survivorship care across the country. Again, the Department will seek input from relevant stakeholders including the ovarian cancer charities.
"I hope that these announcements will be welcome by the APPG and I wish the Group a very productive meeting."
Target Ovarian campaigner Eilish Colclough said: "I would just like to say I wish I could be there in person today but unfortunately yet again I'm undergoing further chemotherapy however, I am thrilled to be one of the first people to hear such fantastic news this is the start of what I personally have been campaigning for with Target Ovarian Cancer for over 3yrs now.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul Burstow and all that are in the APPG who have worked so passionately to make this happen, There has been many key moments for me but I think the debate in Westminster Hall the first of its kind for ovarian cancer clearly had the impact we wanted , this has to be credited to the MPs and the APPG who took the fight from listening to women like myself and wanting to make a change.
"I can only again thank everyone including Target for all the hard work that has gone into making this happen but, rest assured we will not sit on our laurels as there is still so much to be done.
Once again thank you so much you have no idea how much this means to me and for all the other women in the future."
Steve Brine said: "I was delighted when I saw that the Minister had been in touch with such a positive message. For many people, politics is seen as a combative and divisive business, and after what they often see in PMQs I can see why.
"But personally, so much of what we do in the House is unseen and extremely worthwhile, and I cannot stress just how hard the members of this group work."
Pictured; Steve joins Target Ovarian Chief Executive Annwen Jones (right) and Chair of Trustees Joanna Barker (left)
More information...
Find out more at www.targetovariancancer.org.uk