New collective demands end to decades of neglect in gynaecological cancer

For nearly two decades, gynaecological cancers have remained in the shadows – overlooked, underfunded, and devastatingly fatal for thousands of Australian women. Today, a coalition of researchers, clinicians, advocates, and women with lived experience is demanding a seismic shift.

The launch of the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative (GCTI) marks a defining moment in women’s health, setting a bold new vision for research, diagnosis, treatment, and care across the nation.

Survival rates for gynaecological cancers have barely moved since the 1970s. Uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers continue to cut lives short – often in silence, undetected until it’s too late. These diseases remain among the deadliest cancers for women, and the warning signs are deafening.

“For too long, gynaecological cancers have been overlooked and underfunded, leaving women with limited treatment options and unacceptable survival rates. These are not just statistics – they are our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and friends… we must do better,” said Professor Clare Scott AM, Chair of the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG).

Every day, 19 women in Australia receive a diagnosis of gynaecological cancer. More than six will die from it. In ten years, diagnoses are expected to surge by 21%. Yet more than half of these cancers are considered rare or less common. There are no early detection tests – excluding cervical cancer – and research remains insufficient. The burden is compounded for women in rural and remote areas, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and First Nations communities, where access to care and treatment remains far from equal.

Pharmaceutical breakthroughs have delivered some progress. In September 2022, GSK’s Zejula (niraparib) was listed on the PBS for advanced ovarian cancer treatment in BRCA mutation carriers. In January 2024, AstraZeneca’s Lynparza (Olaparib) became the first PARP inhibitor listed on the PBS for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). This was followed in April 2024 by the expanded listing of Zejula for first-line maintenance treatment, making it the second PARP inhibitor available for HRD patients.

Those most affected are stepping forward, demanding change. Ali Crawford, who is currently living with uterine cancer, said “We have been left behind for decades. We are tired of the silence, the inaction, and the lack of investment in cancer research, taking the lives of thousands of women every year. Enough is enough. We deserve better.”

The Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative is the first of its kind in Australia. It brings together ANZGOG, Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA), the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), and Omico in a national movement supported by leading researchers and women who have experienced the impact of these diseases firsthand.

“The survival rates for gynaecological cancers have barely changed in decades. That fact alone should be a wake up call. We know that the answers are there – they lie in research and in better understanding of women’s bodies and women’s pain. To reveal them we need appropriate and proportionate investment,” said Robin Penty, CEO of OCRF.

This initiative reframes the entire ecosystem of gynaecological cancer. It aims to centre the woman’s journey – ensuring equitable access to optimal, personalised treatment alongside specialist supportive care. It empowers the clinical team to deliver timely, evidence-based care by harnessing innovation, technology and data. And, it reinvents the research community, embedding a coordinated national approach that accelerates the path from laboratory to bedside.

Additionally, the Initiative sets out to expand molecular profiling and precision medicine so that more women receive targeted therapies. A new data portal and virtual biobank will build a shared national resource, driving collaborative research. Clinical trials and drug repurposing will be expanded to bring treatments to patients faster. Specialist psychosocial services will address the often-overlooked emotional toll of diagnosis and treatment. And critically, the entire system will be governed by a robust framework to ensure national consistency, accountability, and long-term impact.

“This initiative is about investing in research, making life-saving treatment accessible for all women, no matter their background or postcode,” said cancer advocate Alex Neville.

The ripple effects of gynaecological cancer are wide and devastating. In the coming decade, more than 42,900 Australian children will lose their mothers to these diseases. The personal toll is heartbreaking. The societal toll is unspeakable. And the silence, until now, has been deafening.

With alignment to the Australian Government’s Cancer Plan and the National Framework for Genomics in Cancer Control, the GCTI is calling for a $100 million commitment over four years to implement its priorities and save women’s lives.

“The Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative…represents a critical moment to secure the urgent funding and policy commitments needed to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and care of all women, including those with ovarian cancers. Through collaboration and innovation, we are dedicated to ensuring more equitable access to effective and affordable treatments for women facing gynaecological cancers,” said Debbie Shiell, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Australia.

Professor Scott reinforced the urgency, saying “We cannot afford to wait any longer. For women diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer, this is literally a life-or-death crisis. The Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative marks a turning point – one that will save lives and give hope to thousands of women and their families.”

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