Dearbhaile Collins
Medical Oncologist, Cork University Hospital and Co-Chair, Cancer Trials Ireland
Disease-Specific Study Group for Gynae & Ovarian Cancer Trials
Over 2,000 gynaecological cancers are diagnosed annually in Ireland, making it one of the most common cancers among women in Ireland.
Gynaecological cancers, which affect the female reproductive system (chiefly the ovaries, womb, cervix, vagina and vulva), have been a topic of discussion in Ireland over the last few years in ways they previously were not. This is down to many factors, but certainly, new resources — including new cancer clinical trials — have contributed to this increased awareness.
Cancer clinical trials in Ireland
Clinical trials are currently open in many gynaecological cancer subgroups. These trials have made novel anticancer treatments available, which underscores the importance of bringing new trials to Ireland: They provide treatment options that simply would not otherwise be available.
Key players
More broadly, groups like the Irish Network for Gynaecological Oncology (INGO), the Irish Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ISGO) and organisations such as OvaCare, all campaign alongside Cancer Trials Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society, to increase awareness and education.
Resources include the website www.thisisgo.ie which contains videos and articles on all gynaecological cancers that can be personalised to the user. The overarching goal is to help diagnose women as early as possible to implement an effective treatment plan.
The World GO Day Dip and Dance Campaign last Autumn spoke to the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and staying active as a means to reducing the risk of developing uterine cancer. It was a wonderful example of what the gynaecological oncology community can achieve working together.
Clinical trials are currently open in many gynaecological cancer subgroups.
Funding
These initiatives wouldn’t be possible without the Irish Cancer Society’s Women’s Health Initiative, whose €400,000 investment was a catalyst for a total investment of €890,000 over two years from a range of funders. I want to recognise and applaud the role the Irish Cancer Society plays funding clinical research and raising awareness on screening and vaccination for gynaecological and other cancers, ahead of its Daffodil Day fundraiser on March 24th 2023.
With increased awareness around the early detection of gynaecological cancers and accessibility to clinical trials for these patients, Ireland continues to strive towards creating a better future for women who have gynaecological cancer.