Cervical Cancer in the First Person
People pay attention to the life stories of others. This is what we do when we go to the movies, watch TV or read a book. In hopes that Web site visitors will personally connect with real life stories, GCF has produced a series of short videos for use on its cervical cancer public education Web site www.cervicalcancercampaign.org. These short videos-1-5 minutes-present the stories of women who have dealt with cervical cancer disease and the decision to vaccinate their daughters. Eleven videos will soon be posted on the Web site in both English and Spanish. Two additional videos feature GCF member and gynecologic oncologist Dr. Fidel Valea who provides a short overview of cervical cancer prevention in both English and Spanish.
Women in the videos tell their story and urge others to take steps to protect their own health.
Since the filming of the videos was conducted in Chicago, GCF contacted Chicago area gynecologic oncologists to find women willing to speak out about their experiences with cervical cancer disease. GCF thanks Drs. Yvonne Collins, Julian Schink and Diane Yamada for their help in finding these eloquent and courageous women. The Spanish filming and editing has been facilitated with the assistance of GCF's newest staff member, Health Education Trainer, Cherie Estrada.
With titles like "The Annual Exam, It's a Whole Lot Less Invasive Than Getting Treated for Cervical Cancer," "Pre-Cancer, That's When I Got a Little Freaked Out" or "I Asked My Pediatrician about the Vaccine," GCF and its National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign hopes that these compelling stories will prompt viewers to take action to follow the GCF advice to: "Vaccinate early. Pap test regularly. HPV test when recommended." Please visit the site www.cervicalcancercampaign.org to view the videos.
Cervical Cancer Web Site Content Now Available in Spanish: Sitio de la Campaña Nacional del Cáncer Cervical
The Web is becoming an ever more important tool in GCF's efforts to educate the public about the prevention, early detection and treatment for cervical cancer. Thus, GCF has redesigned the look and content of its Web sites and is continually adding new features designed to reach a wider audience. Given the high cervical cancer incidence rate among Hispanic women in the United States, it seemed particularly important to present the newly expanded cervical cancer content in Spanish. GCF's cervical cancer Web site, www.cervicalcancercampaign.org/espanol/ has recently added additional content to its offerings. Both the English and Spanish sites now offer extensive information on HPV, cervical cancer, the cervical cancer vaccine, prevention, Pap tests, HPV tests, symptoms, treatment, frequently asked questions, educational materials and presentations, how to find a doctor and links to the many partner organizations working on the cervical cancer campaign.
Translation of the material on this site was funded [in part] by the Comprehensive SDSU/UCSD Cancer Center Partnership Program, grants #U54 CA132384 and #U54 CA132379. Salud.
National Cervical Cancer Public Education Web Site Named Outstanding Web Site by the Web Marketing Association
GCF is pleased to announce that the National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign's Web site www.cervicalcancercampaign.org is a 2008 winner of the Outstanding Web Site award from the Web Marketing Association's Webaward competition (www.webaward.org). The new National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign Web site, redesigned in early 2008, has been awarded the Standard of Excellence award by the Web Marketing Association in the competitive Non-Profit division.
Rhythm Heals—N.E.D. (no evidence of disease) GCF/SGO Physicians Rock!
In March 2008, six gynecologic oncologists got together and created a band, N.E.D. (no evidence of disease). The band's purpose is to create a musical medium for healing is to enhance knowledge about gynecologic cancers and bring hope through rhythm for women undergoing treatment.
The name of the band itself-no evidence of disease-represents the hope that every gynecologic oncologist has for every patient. That at the end of treatment the disease will be gone.
The members of the band are all practicing gynecologic oncologists who spend many hours in the care of women each week-in the operating room, in the treatment room and even at the research bench striving for better ways to treat cancers unique to women.
GCF is accepting donations and soliciting funds to support the production of the band's first CD. Proceeds from the sale of the CD and live performances will be donated to the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) whose mission is to educate the public about gynecologic cancers and support promising research.
You can support these SGO/GCF members by donating now to a designated GCF fund by going to www.wcn.org/about/donate.html.
Congratulations to Drs. John Boggess, Joanie Hope, Nimesh Nagarsheth, William Robinson, John Soper and William Winter. You rock!
GCF Launches Enhanced Women's Cancer Network™
NEW LOOK, NEW CONTENT, NEW CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT CANCERS UNIQUE TO WOMEN
The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, with thanks to generous support from the Entertainment Industry Foundation and Callaway Golf Foundation, has unveiled GCF's enhanced Women's Cancer Network Web site www.wcn.org. The Editorial Board [live link], consisting of gynecologic oncologists and other experts, has updated the information on the site to provide the most current information on cervical cancer, endometrial (or uterine) cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer, and advice on living with cancer.
Women are urged to log on to take a confidential risk assessment and hear first-hand from women diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer whose stories are told in the survivors Wall of Hope. The "Find A Gynecologic Oncologist" section allows visitors to find a nearby gynecologic oncologist by entering a zip code. And, clinical trials updates are also available, including information about current Phase III clinical trials conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) that are open for enrollment.
Remember, if you suspect or have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, seek care first from a gynecologic oncologist.
New Allied Support Group Member
GCF is pleased to welcome the Granulosa Cell Tumor Foundation to the Allied Support Group (ASG).
The ASG will hold its next meeting during the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists 40th Annual Meeting On Women's Cancer™ in San Antonio, TX, on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. For more information, please contact Dina Zambon at dzambon@thegcf.org or 312.578.1439. | 
