A little about us
We are the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation (AGCF). That’s right, the only organisation that focuses on funding laboratory research into all 8 gynae cancers: vulval, cervical, vaginal, uterine/endometrial, ovarian, fallopian tubal, primary peritoneal, and placental. We provide research grants to Australia’s best and brightest medical brains, brilliant minds, so they can find new and improved ways to screen, treat and conquer gynae cancers.
The AGCF also raises awareness of the 8 gynae cancers, providing evidenced based information to help people better understand those cancers, identify signs and symptoms, and where to go for help and support.
The AGCF doesn’t work alone, we partner and collaborate with gynae cancer survivors, carers and family members, sharing their stories, and we work with other cancer agencies, including ANZGOG, Cancer Australia, Rare Cancers Australia (RCA), Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA), Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF), Jean Hailes, and the Cancer Councils in each State and Territory.
Peter Mac Cancer Centre’s Work & Cancer Survey research project
The AGCF team is pleased to support the Peter Mac Cancer Centre’s Work & Cancer Survey research project inviting people to participate in a short survey and online focus group on how best to support people at work after a cancer diagnosis and treatments. The survey is open until 16 Jan 2026, click on the link to read more.
At AGCF, we hear from women sharing the challenges of returning to work after gynae cancer treatments, particularly involving surgery, chemotherapy and radiation over many months. We encourage all who wish to share those challenges and what would help and improve their experiences at work to participate in the Peter Mac survey and online focus group.
The AGCF team is beyond proud to congratulate our colleague Dr Margaret Heffernan OAM PhD on receiving one of the 2025 Cancer Australia Jeannie Ferris Awards for her outstanding efforts over 33 years to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers and generate national action across governments and politics; for harnessing bipartisan support for a Senate Inquiry into Gynae Cancers in 2006; and influencing the health and medical sectors to improve Australia’s gynae cancer policies, practice, research and funding.
Bipartisan investment in improving gynae cancer awareness, treatment outcomes and breakthrough research remains vitally important today, for the 7000 women newly diagnosed each year, and for those with advanced cancers, facing uncertain survival beyond 5 years.
The AGCF team congratulates the four recipients of the 2025 Jeannie Ferris Awards, Ms Lisa Briggs, Dr Margaret Heffernan OAM, Prof Gail Garvey AM, and Assoc Prof Mei Ling Yap, in recognition of their outstanding achievements in increasing equity of outcomes for people affected by cancer in Australia.
Why research into gynae cancer research is important…
Did you know there are 8 different Gynae cancers? Most people aren’t aware!
Cervical cancer is the only gynae cancer with a vaccine and screening test. 7,000 women are diagnosed with a gynae cancer in Australia each year. Survival rates for advanced gynae cancers are alarmingly low. Early detection and treatment significantly boost women’s survival from gynae cancers.
Thank you to Prof Hacker, Founder & Director AGCF, Dr Dane Cheasley, AGCF brilliant minds researcher, Peter Mac, and three amazing AGCF Ambassadors, Danielle & Corinne, both cancer survivors, and Amelia, a family member on her mother’s journey and death from gynae cancer.
Join us in raising awareness and making strides in gynae cancer research!
Click below to see the AGCF information video and real stories.
Cervical Cancer Awareness
Cervical Cancer impacts women world-wide. The incidence of cervical cancer in developed countries is low because of the availability of regular screening. Never-the less, there are still about 800 women diagnosed with the disease each year in Australia, the majority (70%) of whom have never been screened or are overdue for screening.
Prof Neville F Hacker AM, MD. Founder & Director, AGCF
On the frontline… An insight into endometrial cancer research
The AGCF Board warmly welcomes Dr Rosie McDonald as a new member of the awesome AGCF Ambassador team
AGCF Ambassador and Prevocational Doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Professor Neville Hacker, AGCF Founder & Director, MD AM, and the Board, are delighted to welcome Dr Rosie McDonald as AGCF’s newest, awe-inspiring Ambassador to help raise awareness of the 8 gynae cancers affecting over 7000 women in Australia each year.
Rosie is passionate about promoting equitable access to high-quality women’s healthcare and hopes to pursue a career as a gynaecological oncologist. She is proud to support the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation through advocacy, education, and fundraising, helping champion the role of research in transforming outcomes for women across Australia and beyond.
The Australian Gynaecological Cancer Research Foundation provides grants to create new postdoctoral fellowship opportunities that support a research project, aligned to the AGCF priorities. The fellowship is designed to support an outstanding science, nursing, allied health, or medical graduate, who has completed a PhD within the last 5 years and seeks funding to undertake further research.
On this occasion, ‘Our Brilliant Minds Program’ is funding much-needed research into endometrial cancer. AGCF, in collaboration with the Mazda Foundation, is pleased to be supporting Dr Dongli Liu at the Lowy Institute, for this important research.
Put simply, we fund research, and our brilliant researchers find a cure. Together, we’re giving women hope.
The AGCF Board is proud to have awarded its fourth gynae cancer research fellowship and welcomed Dr Liz Caldon PhD as the 2024/25 Research Fellow.
Explore the latest update on A/Prof Liz Caldon’s ground breaking research: Identifying Drivers of Resistance to PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer (August 2025) here.
To read of their findings using isogenic models and how they can help improve future cancer therapies, read here.
Thank You Friends!
Your donations have helped AGCF fund life-saving laboratory research by brilliant mind researchers like Liz and Dongli – helping us share hope.
Every 1.3 hours a woman in Australia is diagnosed with a gynae cancer, with over 7000 new cases diagnosed each year, that’s 35,000 women each 5 years!
The stats are grim. Six women die from gynae cancer every day; wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends.
Around 31% of women with a gynae cancer will not survive 5 years. Around 51% of women with advanced gynae cancers will not survive 5 years.
Help AGCF to fund brilliant mind researchers to find new breakthrough ways to screen, treat and conquer gynae cancers, sharing hope with women and their families. Research saves lives.
Corporate partners
Ways to stay informed
There are many ways you can stay informed about all things AGCF.
Social Media
Firstly, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Quarterly Newsletter
You can also subscribe to our quarterly newsletter. Go on, you know you want to!
Who we are
We are the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. The only organisation that focuses on funding laboratory research into all eight gynae cancers.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get in touch
Where to find us:
1/1 Jamison Street, Sydney NSW 2001
For general enquiries:
telephone: +61 2 8235 2606
email: info@agcf.org.au
Together, we’re giving women hope.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable in Australia.
ABN: 17 152 685 295
© Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation | Privacy Policy