Amy Robens: Gynaecological cancer myths and stigma are stumbling blocks

NZ Herald

17 Nov, 2015 04:50 AM4 mins to read

Amy Robens is a board trustee of the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. Photo / Supplied

Talking about gynaecological cancer is hardly dinner table conversation, but it should be, writes Amy Robens.

Talking about gynaecological cancer is hardly dinner table conversation, but it should be. One woman dies of gynaecological cancer in New Zealand every day and three women are diagnosed.

Sadly undue stigma attached to gynaecological cancer makes raising awareness challenging and the New Zealand Gynaecological Foundation (NZGCF) works hard to dispel the myths and educate women about this least talked about cancer.

Only one proven screening test exists for cervical cancer, but there are four other gynaecological cancers with no means of proven detection. Most women wrongly believe that having a cervical smear, or Pap test, protects them from all cancers. This is far from the truth.

It took Angelina Jolie's superstar status to propel gynaecological cancer onto the front page after she had a double mastectomy and her ovaries removed because she had the inherited BRCA1 Gene, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. But the 'Angelina Jolie effect' can't raise gynaecological cancer alone.

Gynaecological cancer effects many women from those in their twenties to their nineties and NZGCF urges women to be proactive about their health, learn about the types of cancers and understand the signs and symptoms.

Whilst endometrial cancer is the most common form of gynaecological cancer, ovarian is the biggest killer. Other gynaecological cancers include cervical, uterine, vulva and vaginal cancers - all representing a wide range of varied symptoms. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don't delay visiting your doctor.

Many challenges exist and some are being addressed. NZGCF raises awareness and educates women about gynaecological cancer, but real widespread understanding about the disease remains low.

More funding is also needed for clinical trials and research. Per capita, New Zealand's research funding into this area is the lowest in the developed world. Coupled with this, we have a severe shortage of Gynaecological Oncologists. These are the medical specialists trained in women's reproductive systems and research shows that women treated by these specialists have better outcomes.

Women who are obese or overweight are more susceptible to gynaecological cancer, especially to endometrial cancer, and it's a serious concern given we are battling an obesity epidemic in New Zealand with two thirds of adults classed as obese or overweight.
NZGCF supports government funded anti-cancer vaccine, Gardasil, in schools. However higher levels of immunisation against HPV are needed and boys should also be vaccinated. It's a proven cure that's prone to misinformation.

Women should have access to cancer super-drugs

Vital cancer drugs, the so called 'super drugs' aren't freely accessible to New Zealand women despite being available overseas. The drug Bevacizumab, developed for ovarian and cervical cancer, has recently been state-funded in Australia. New Zealand women should also have access to it, but most understandably can't afford the price tag which is in the tens of thousands of dollars.

New gynaecological cancer treatments show increasing promise. A new class of PARP Inhibitors are being tested globally and they offer significant advantages to certain groups of women with ovarian cancer. We hope that by the time of registration, they will be available to women here.

The New Zealand Gynaecological Foundation is a registered charity and non-for-profit organisation working to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of all gynaecological cancers - ovarian, cervical, uterine, vulva and vaginal cancers.

Amy Robens is a board trustee of the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation