In light of Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, ANZGOG asked three of its trial and committee leaders what inspires them and what are their hopes for future gynaecological cancer research.
Professor Sandi Hayes, Associate Professor Yoland Antill, and Associate Professor Tarek Meniawy, discuss below.
Prof Sandi Hayes: Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University, ECHO trial Principal Investigator.
What drives and inspires you as a researcher?
An understanding that we can and should do better for the 130000+ Australians diagnosed with cancer each year, including the 6600 women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. Treatment for cancer can bring with it a range of adverse physical and psychosocial side effects.
However, integrating exercise as part of standard cancer care can reduce the frequency and severity of treatment-related side effects, assist people to adhere to their cancer treatment, improve function and the ability to participate in normal daily activities, improve quality of life and may even improve survival.
We have some work to do before exercise can be integrated among standard cancer care equitably.
What is your hope for the future?
Improved survival and improved quality of survival for all people with cancer through exercise, but particularly for women with ovarian cancer.
Assoc Prof Yoland Antill: Medical Oncologist, PHAEDRA trial Principal Investigator, Chair of ANZGOG’s Uterine Tumour Working Group, and Deputy Chair of ANZGOG’s Annual Scientific Meeting Steering Committee.
What drives and inspires you as a researcher?
Research is the only way we have achieved improvements for women with gynaecological cancers. It improves treatment options, lowers the side effects associated with treatments, it has improved the way we talk about cancers and their treatments and what someone might experience or expect as a result of their cancer diagnosis. Most important of all, research results in few women being diagnosed with gynaecological cancers. Who wouldn’t be inspired?
What is your hope for the future?
In a world full of uncertainty, being able to support a strong research idea and opportunity would be a marvellous thing indeed.
Assoc Prof Tarek Meniawy: Medical Oncologist, iPRIME trial Principal Investigator, ANZGOG Director and Chair of ANZGOG’s Ovarian Tumour Type Working Group.
What drives and inspires you as a researcher?
Researchers, including myself, are driven by the critical unmet needs of patients with gynaecological cancers, and the aspiration and hope to find better treatments that not only help improve outcomes and prolong life but importantly support better quality of life for women that are affected by these conditions.
It is very inspiring to hear stories from patients about their journey with their illness, even when their condition is not cured they are often expressing gratitude and optimism for the future of other women affected by cancer. They also often praise the large networks of people and organisations that surround and support them whether it be family or friends, their treating institution, their cancer nurse, oncologist, or local GP. It is very heart-warming to be a part of a team that is trying to help patients who are often positive and optimistic even when faced by significant life-limiting illnesses.
What is your hope for the future?
My hope for the future is to see more ideas and concepts come to ANZGOG research groups, and develop into full concepts and trials. The more opportunities we have to do this, the more likely we will be able to make small but important incremental steps to improving outcomes.
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