Every day 15 Australian women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer and four die as a result of it.
The stats are scary, yet it’s not often in the spotlight.
The campaign with a cheeky name, Save the Box, is determined to see that change.
The campaign aims to spark conversation and take the taboo out of talking about women’s cancers.
With over 16,000 women currently living with a gynaecological cancer in Australia, ANZGOG (Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncological Group) kick started Save the Box to raise awareness of the importance of clinical trials and the need to improve survival outcomes.
Clinical trials involve people volunteering to take part in new treatments, interventions or tests, in order to evaluate their effectiveness and safety.
Dr Diana Adams, a Medical Oncology Senior Staff Specialist at Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, knows that clinical trials can be a game changer for women with gynaecological cancers.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Virtually every improvement in cancer survival has been on the back of clinical trials,” Dr Adams said.[/social_quote]
“Survival rates for gynaecological cancers have only increased by 7 per cent in the past 25 years, compared to 19 per cent for all other cancers combined – those numbers need to change.
“As a clinician I see new treatments being found in other cancers and see the patients doing so much better thanks to research outcomes.
“I want to see even more research happening in gynaecological cancers.”
South Western Sydney Local Health District is already on board, with hospitals throughout the District participating in three different trials which span cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers.
But as always, prevention is better than a cure.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Four in 10 endometrial cancers can be avoided by modifying your diet and exercise,” says Dr Adams.[/social_quote]
“Aside from cigarette smoking, obesity is currently the biggest preventable cause of several different cancers.”
There are seven types of gynaecological cancers – ovarian, uterine (often called endometrial), vulvar, vaginal, cervical and two rare pregnancy cancers.
ANZGOG is a not for profit organisation giving women in Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to participate in important clinical trials that are looking at new treatments which hold promise to improve their outcomes.
Save the Box aims to raise funds for gynaecological cancer research.
For more information or to get involved visit the Save the Box website here.
