Each year in the UK, over 21,000 women are diagnosed with some form of gynaecological cancer. This equates to 58 women receiving this life-changing news every day. Sadly 21 women will die from a gynaecological cancer every single day, yet still Gynaecological Cancer receives little publicity.
There are five Gynaecological Cancers ( Ovarian, Womb, Vaginal, Vulval ) but awareness levels of these cancers is very low.
As with many cancers the signs and symptoms often get missed during our busy daily lives. Many of the tell tale signs are things ladies
experience from time to time such as bloating and irregular bleeding are often put down to stress, menopause or just general ‘women’s problems’ so are often left unchecked. As we all know, catching signs early on is essential to avoid further spread and potential recovery.
Liverpool Women’s Hospital is the regional Gynaecological Surgical Cancer Centre in Merseyside and Cheshire. The multi-disciplinary team is made up of Surgeons, Medical and Clinical Oncologists, Palliative Care Consultants, Radiologists, Pathologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Research Nurses. There is a weekly meeting held were every women is discussed to see if they are eligible for a Clinical Trial, and a plan of care proposed.
The team is currently involved in many National Clinical Trials, in relation to chemotherapy treatments, surgery, imaging (scanning techniques) and the ‘100,000 Genomes Project.’ https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/the-100000-genomes-project/
The team is keen to continue its involvement in research, as it can and does positively make a difference to the lives of the women it treats, whether that be a new treatment, treatments that provide fewer side effects from current treatment or improvements to provide a better quality of life.