Gynecologic Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know
Federal Government Aids Fight Against Gynecologic Cancer
Updated on: June 20, 2003
Katherine Y. Look, M.D., Chair, SGO Government Relations, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
The federal government plays a crucial role in the multi-faceted effort to develop new and better ways to prevent, detect, and treat gynecologic cancer.
Currently, for example, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is in the midst of a study involving more than 74,000 women to evaluate ultrasound and blood tests in the early detection of ovarian cancer.
"Last year, NCI investigators discovered that a simple blood test can reveal a pattern of protein expression specific to ovarian cancer. Our hope is that this discovery will lead to the development of a highly effective screening tool able to detect this most deadly of the gynecologic cancers in its earliest stages, when 5- year survival rates exceed 90 percent," said Edward L. Trimble, M.D., head, surgery section, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, NCI.
The NCI is also currently working with its colleagues around the world to evaluate the addition of three new chemotherapy drugs to the standard combination of platinum agents and taxanes, chemotherapy drugs currently used for women with advanced ovarian cancer.
"This joint study coordinated by NCI, will be the largest ovarian cancer treatment clinical trial yet conducted," noted Trimble. "The NCI is also continuing to support the development of new vaccine strategies and more accurate screening tests for HPV, human papillomavirus, aimed at helping diminish the tremendous global death toll from cervical cancer," said Dr. Trimble. "Worldwide, an estimated 288,000 women each year lose their lives to this disease."
The Department of Defense (DOD) also plays a role in women’s cancer research through its Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) and Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP), components of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).
"Launched in 1997, the OCRP was fashioned after DOD’s very successful Breast Cancer Research Program, which has provided significant funding for breast cancer research since its inception in 1992," said Stephen Rubin, M.D., professor and director of gynecologic oncology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.
"Particularly important is the fact that OCRP funding is earmarked by the government for novel approaches to early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer."
To date, the OCRP has received rather modest funding. With ovarian cancer responsible for the deaths of over 14,000 women in the U.S. each year, more than all other gynecologic cancers combined, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) and other members of the GCF’s Allied Support Group would like to see the budget for the OCRP increased dramatically.
Advocates are also urging Congress to increase the budget of the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Launched in 2000, this important pro-gram is charged with developing an appropriate public health response to ovarian cancer as well as conducting studies aimed at reducing ovarian cancer morbidity and mortality. "Increased funding can help insure the success of this program," noted Carol Brown, M.D., co-chair SGO Government Relations and attending surgeon, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City.
New Legislation
A number of bills related to cancer are slated for introduction during this session of Congress. Among them is Johanna’s Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2003, which addresses a critical need to improve gynecologic cancer education. Sponsored by Congressman Sander Levin (D-MI), the bill would require a nationwide public service announcement suggesting that women talk to their doctors about gynecologic cancers and would also fund grants to local and national organizations to test innovative strategies for educating women about the risk factors and symptoms for various gynecologic cancers.
"Gynecologic cancers devastate hundreds of thousands of women and their families," said Congressman Levin. "We named our bill for the sister of the woman who brought this issue to my attention because her story is so representative of what’s happening. So many women, even the most health-conscious, are not aware that their symptoms are connected with gynecologic cancers until it’s too late for effective treatment."
This article by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation originally appeared in an advertising supplement to the New York Times on Sunday, June 22, 2003.
GCF gratefully acknowledges Aventis Oncology for its generous support of this educational supplement. The content of this supplement is the work of many individuals and does not reflect commercial interests.
Aventis Pharmaceuticals
www.AventisOncology.com