Our work into women’s cancers not only looks at causes and cures for gynaecological cancers but also ways of improving the lives of women living with cancer.
In Western Australian we have a single Gynaecologic Cancer Service providing care to over 96 percent of all women’s gynaecological cancers diagnosed in the State, throughout metropolitan, regional and remote areas. This makes the Service a rich source of data for cancer research projects. Our clinical Service is known to be excellent and we are now building a strong research base to make it even better.
Our Gynaecologic Cancer Research Centre, based at King Edward Memorial Hospital and St John of God Subiaco Hospital, began in 2012 to build on the clinical strengths of the state-wide service and amplify the quality of care by answering research questions of particular importance to the women and families of Western Australia.
The Western Australian Gynaecologic Cancer Research Initiative commenced in 2013 to bring clinical practice and research together to improve outcomes for women with a gynaecologic cancer in Western Australia.
One example of how we are making a real impact is through our work into endometrial cancer. For early stage endometrial cancer sufferers who choose laparoscopic hysterectomy over open surgery, our research has shown:
- improved quality of life at 6 months after surgery
- reduced treatment-related morbidity
- shorter hospital stays
- less postoperative pain
- less pelvic floor symptoms.
Another project with the potential for transformative change is the WA Gynaecologic Oncology Biospecimen Bank (Biobank). The Biobank continues to boost research into the causes of gynaecological cancers, their genetic pathways and potential cures.