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Our September 2024 Newsletter Update!
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Hello friends of the AGCF.
September 1st is the start of Gynae cancer awareness month for 2024, we invite you to join with us to fundraise as we go purple for Gynae cancer.
Thank you for your generous support to AGCF’s research funding so far, and for raising awareness of the 8 gynae cancers across the country.
Your combined efforts have enabled world class research projects and brilliant minds to develop improved tests, detection, and treatments. You’ve given hope to women with cancer, their families and friends.
This year, we’re inviting you to host fun events to raise research funds with your family, friends, pets, workmates, clubs or communities, on any day in September. From hosting morning teas with purple cakes, purple hat lunches, purple nail painting parties – with your mates – or wearing cheeky vulva or ovary socks from our sponsors, Sydney Sock Project or raising a glass of Ms Gina Gin or purple grape juice with your friends! To donate, visit the AGCF website.
Do send us your purple event pics – people, pets, nails, feet, hats, food – to [email protected] with a brief description, and we’ll post them on AGCF’s social media. We’re partnering with Overport, one of the very best in socials, to help us promote gynae cancer awareness month across Australia.
At AGCF we won’t lose sight of the impact of gynae cancer affected lives, for Jeannie, Merle, Annette, Carmen, Cindy, Kayla, Sally, Megan, and sadly Rosaleen, whose legacy we keep, for Danielle, Amelia, Kaye and Corinne, and the many more brave women who inspire us daily. Or, that every 1.3 hours a woman in Australia is diagnosed with a gynae cancer, with a total of 7000 new cases each year. Sadly, not all will survive to lead long lives.
We thank you for your support to fund research for a brighter future, sharing hope.
Kind regards,
Diane Langmack OAM, Chair
Leonie Young MAICD, CEO AGCF
Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month
September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, so we would like to give you an overview of all the gynaecological cancers. The AGCF is the only Foundation in Australia funding laboratory research into all such malignancies.
The gynaecological cancers are those that involve the female reproductive organs, viz the vulva, vagina, cervix (neck of the womb), uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Malignancies of the placenta (afterbirth) and peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) are also treated by gynaecological oncologists.
The commonest of the gynaecological cancers is endometrial cancer, which accounts for over 90% of uterine cancers. It is a cancer of the lining of the uterus, (the endometrium), which is shed with menstruation each month in reproductive aged women. Cancers of the muscle of the uterus, (which are much less common but have a higher mortality), are called leiomyosarcoma. The estimated number of new cases of endometrial cancer diagnosed in Australia in 2022 was 3,343, representing 4.6 % of all new female cancers. There were 667 deaths from the disease, representing 3.0 % of female deaths from cancer in that year. The overall 5-year survival for endometrial cancer was 83 %. This good prognosis is due to the fact that the disease usually presents early with abnormal vaginal bleeding, (usually post-menopausal bleeding), so can be readily diagnosed by uterine curettage.
The second most common gynaecological cancer is ovarian cancer. The estimated number of new cases of ovarian cancer (including serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed in Australia in 2023 was 1786, which represents 2.4 % of all new female cancers. The estimated number of deaths from ovarian cancer in 2023 was 1050, which represents 4.6 % of all female deaths from cancer. The chance of surviving at least 5 years was 49 %. The high mortality for ovarian cancer is due to the fact that there are usually no symptoms of early disease (the silent killer), and no screening test is available. Hence, most women have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.
Many cases of ovarian cancer are now known to arise in the fallopian tubes, particularly in patients who have the hereditary BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. Some of these cancers that arise in the fallopian tubes spread to the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) without significant ovarian enlargement. Therefore, serous cancers of the ovary, fallopian tubes and peritoneum are now all considered to be part of the same disease. All require surgery to remove the cancer, and unless the disease is found to be confined to the tube or ovary, they will all need chemotherapy. Rarely, the fallopian tubes and peritoneum may be sites of primary cancers unrelated to ovarian cancer.
The third most common cancer is cancer of the cervix. In 2022, it was estimated that there were 942 new cases of cervical cancer in Australia, representing 1.3 % of all new female cancers. The estimated number of deaths was 222 , which represented 1.0 % of all female deaths from cancer. The chance of surviving at least 5 years was 74 %. The incidence of cervical cancer has halved since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1992.
In the indigenous population, the incidence of cervical cancer is twice as high as in the caucasion population, and the mortality is four times higher. This is due to lack of access to, or uptake of, cervical cancer screening. The disease is caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), and primary screening is now performed by HPV testing. Pleasingly, the availability of self-testing for HPV has seen an increased uptake of screening among indigenous and non-English speaking women in recent years. The introduction of HPV vaccination for girls aged 12-13 years in 2007, and for boys in 2013, will see the incidence of cancer of the cervix fall markedly in the years ahead.
Vulvar and vaginal cancers are uncommon, there being an estimated 420 women diagnosed with vulvar cancer in 2022, and 123 diagnosed with vaginal cancer. The 5-year survival for vulvar cancer was 74%, while for vaginal cancer it was 49%. About 35% of vulvar cancers and 70% of vaginal cancers are caused by HPV, so the HPV vaccination program for schoolgirls and boys will significantly decrease the incidence of these cancers in the future.
The final group of gynaecological cancers arise in the placenta or afterbirth. They are called invasive moles or choriocarcinomas. These cancers are rare, but are very sensitive to chemotherapy, even in the presence of disease which has spread to the lungs or other distant sites.
Neville F Hacker AM MD
Founder and Director
Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation
Gynae Cancer Awareness Month Posters
Hosting a fundraiser or awareness event for Gynae Cancer Awareness Month? Download our set of three A4-sized posters, designed to help raise awareness and promote your event. These posters are ready for printing and are perfect for displaying at your venue or sharing within your community.
Simply click the download button below to get started and help spread the word about gynae cancer awareness at your next event!
Australian & International Award-Winning Actor, The Late Carmen Duncan, 1942-2019, Honoured By Agcf For Her Advocacy For Research Into Gynaecological Cancers, Saving Women’s Lives; Carmen Duncan Memorial Gynaecological Cancer Research Fellowship 2024 Awarded To Assoc Professor, Liz Caldon Phd.
In Sydney, on the 8th August, the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation (AGCF) hosted the presentation of the Carmen Duncan Memorial Fellowship Award, by Carmen’s daughter, Amelia Barrett, to ovarian cancer researcher, Dr Liz Caldon, PhD, Conjoint Assoc Professor, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW.
Carmen advocated tirelessly over 15 years for increased gynaecological cancer research funding, as CEO of the GO (Gynaecology Oncology) Research Fund at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney, and nationally, as an Ambassador for the AGCF. Sadly, Carmen died from a rare gynae cancer in 2019.
Dr Caldon’s successful research application, Identifying drivers of resistance to PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer, was selected by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee to AGCF, led by Professor Jonathan Carter, MBBS, FRANZCOG, MS, MD, CGO. The 2-year, $150 thousand, NSW-based grant will enable Dr Caldon and her small team from the Garvan Institute to conduct research aimed at improving survival rates for women with ovarian cancers.
I am thrilled with this award, said Dr Caldon. It is an honour to be the recipient of the Carmen Duncan Memorial Fellowship and represent AGCF as a Fellow. Our work has been developed over several years on minimal funding. The research grant will make a substantial difference to our ability to continue this important work.
The urgency of Dr Caldon’s research with PARP inhibitors in improving treatments for ovarian cancer is compelling; more than 51% of women with ovarian cancer in Australia today will not survive 5 years.
The main thing in this era of advanced molecular biology is to maintain hope, said Professor Neville Hacker, AM MD, Founder & Director, AGCF. A new targeted therapy may be just around the corner. Research gives hope. All of the major advances in gynae cancer treatments have occurred through laboratory research. The AGCF has a proud record of funding post-PhD researchers, and we are pleased to welcome Dr Caldon as an AGCF Fellow.
The AGCF Board thanks the Duncan family and the NSW Government for their funding support to make this grant possible, said Professor Hacker.
The AGCF is the only Australian foundation funding laboratory research into all 8 gynaecological cancers: vulval, vaginal, cervical, endometrial, fallopian, ovarian, peritoneal, and placental. Almost 7000 new cases of gynae cancer are diagnosed each year. Only cervical cancer has a reliable screening test and a vaccine. About 31% of women with a gynae cancer will not survive 5 years.
The AGCF Board is proud to have awarded its fourth Gynae Cancer Research Fellowship and welcomes Dr Liz Caldon PhD, as a Fellow, alongside Dr Dong Li, PhD, Lowy Institute, Dr Dane Cheasley, Senior Researcher, Peter Mac Cancer Centre, and Dr Aime Powell, PhD, Notre Dame University, WA.
Prof Neville Hacker AM MD, Founder & Director, AGCF
Our April 2024 Newsletter Update!
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Introduction by AGCF Chair, Dianne Langmack OAM |
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On behalf of the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation, I welcome you to the Autumn 2024 newsletter. I’m proud to say that AGCF is the only national cancer research organisation that focuses on funding laboratory research into all 8 gynae cancers. Of the 8, only cervical cancer has a reliable screening test. Research is the key to better screening, testing, treatments, extending lives, finding a cure. We can’t reach our goals without you. We have an enormous goal to find new ways to screen, treat and conquer the 8 gynae cancers. Gynae cancers affect women’s reproductive systems. It could be your mother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, or it could be any of us. Our goals are within reach. All medical breakthroughs in the last 50 years have occurred through research. Breakthroughs in research are happening more frequently than ever before because we now know what causes gynae cancer and where to focus our efforts. It’s a challenging environment. In Australia today, a woman is diagnosed with gynae cancer every 1.3 hours. A woman dies from gynae cancer every 4 hours. Almost 7,000 new cases of gynae cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 51% of women with ovarian cancer will not survive 5 years. These are stark statistics for women’s lives. The AGCF team aims to award gynae cancer fellowships to young, post-doc, blue sky, brilliant minds researchers in each state and territory. We can do this with your support. We are gathering supporters with events like Sport supports science – saving women’s lives at a lunch with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs RL Football Club, Qatar Airways, the NSWRL, and Harvey Norman this month. Lunch will be at Doltone House, Sydney, and we thank Paul Signorelli and family for the support they have given the AGCF team to host the event. We also thank our amazing sponsors: HarlowlovesDaisy.com, SydneySockProject.com, and Ure Lynam; our AGCF Ambassadors, Jean Kittson AM, Danielle, Corinne Pettersen, Dr Dane Cheasley, and Amelia Barrett, who give generously of their time. With their support, and yours, we are on the way to reaching our brilliant minds research goals, conquering gynae cancer. The Board and I are so very grateful for your continuing support for our efforts, thank you. Diane Langmack OAM Chair, AGCF Board |
The silence around vulval cancer means people are missing the signs that they have it
Experts warn that “Vulval cancer is often overlooked, but its impact can be devastating,” While less common, it affects four individuals daily in the UK, with rising mortality rates.
Most cases of vulval cancer are linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and lichen sclerosus (LS). Because of its vague symptoms and societal taboos, raising awareness and implementing preventive measures are crucial to saving lives
Read the article here…
Mother’s Day Lunch at The Golden Century
A big thank you to the President of the Way In Network, Annie Tang JP, and the Board, for their continued support of AGCF.
At the Mother’s Day Lunch in May, The Way In Network ladies donated $20,000 to AGCF.
Thank you to the owner of the Golden Century, Eric and his wife Linda Wong, for hosting the day and all guests who attended a wonderful lunch.
Fast-tracked cervical cancer screening saving lives in remote West Australian communities
A new cervical cancer screening project in Western Australia’s remote areas is reducing waiting times for testing from weeks to a matter of minutes using new technology.
It’s hoped the method will be one day expanded across the nation.
WA’s Country Health Service Obstetrics and Gynaecology head Jared Watts said early detection was crucial.
“Women can do their own test and it takes away that embarrassment, takes away the pain and discomfort,” he said. “If we do detect the changes in the cervix early it is very preventable.”
Cancer Research Visit
AGCF Prof Neville Hacker and former CEO Kim Downes meet with Dr Caroline Ford and her team at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre to discuss ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer research. AGCF with the assistance of the Mazda Foundation provided funding for Dr Ford’s teams endo cancer research.
National Cervical Cancer Week
National Cervical Cancer Week launch at Parliament House, November 2022. Attended by AGCF Board Member Leonie Young.
Cervical Cancer
Self-Screening
From 1 July 2022, all women due for their 5-yearly cervical screening test (CST) were eligible for self-collection. The specimen is collected by introducing a small soft swab similar to the swabs used for COVID testing into the vagina.
Participation in the National Cervical Screening Program has fallen in Australia over the past 20 years and was severely impacted by the COVID pandemic. Over a million Australian women eligible for cervical screening are either under-screened or have never been screened. Only around five in 10 women participate in the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) at the recommended interval.
Rural Women’s Health
It may be surprising to know there are eight Gynae cancers, and that every two hours an Australian woman is diagnosed with a gynae cancer.
Women with gynae cancer in rural areas often have a great deal of trouble accessing an accurate early diagnosis and treatment. In particular, women living in outer regional, remote or very remote areas may have difficulties accessing gynae health care due to distance and the limited availability of health services, and they often lack practical and emotional support. Much is being done to extend access to tele health cancer support services and practitioners, including oncology nurses, however many services are fragmented or in major city centres.
‘Mystic Garden’ has been painted by Diana Smith in support of Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.
Painted in acrylic on stretched canvas (167 x 167 x 3.5cm) and inspired by the lush beauty of nature which is a recurring theme of Diana’s art.
I am drawn to calm blues and foliage greens with pops of vivid pinks, reds and oranges. Colour, colour and more colour!
I don’t have a strict style. My work hovers between impressionist and abstract, stylised versions of similar themes. I enjoy both. Botanicals and landscapes dominate with occasional bird cameos.
It’s difficult to explain the joy I get from painting. It starts with constant ideas and yearning, fearlessly splashing paint around (because you can always over paint if it doesn’t work out). Then surprise at what appears on the canvas (not always what I planned) and happiness when I reach a finish point. Happiness again when others connect with what I have created.
September is Gynaecological Cancer awareness month and I am donating 25% of the sale price of ‘Mystic Garden’ to AGCF so, if you connect with it, message your interest and together we can do our bit to help fund Gynaecological Cancer research.
‘Mystic Garden’ – $1200
Email: [email protected]
Who we are
We are the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. The only organisation that focuses on funding laboratory research into all eight gynae cancers.
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Get in touch
Where to find us:
1/1 Jamison Street, Sydney NSW 2001
For general enquiries:
telephone: +61 2 8235 2606
email: [email protected]
Together, we’re giving women hope.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable in Australia.
ABN: 17 152 685 295
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