Gynecologic Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know
GCF Joins Forces to Raise Awareness
Updated on: June 25, 2003
Karen Carlson, Executive Director, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) is especially proud of the alliances it has formed with organizations that have commitments to women's health, especially those with an interest in women's cancer care. Twice a year, GCF hosts "Allied Support Group" meetings, which bring together physicians, nurses, cancer survivors, representatives of the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Office on Women’s Health and the Centers for Disease Control, as well as leaders from various national gynecologic cancer advocacy organizations. These semi-annual gatherings are designed for group members to update each other on programs and discuss ways the organizations can collaborate.
"GCF knew that our success was contingent upon forming effective partnerships with all facets of the gynecologic cancer community," said Ronald D. Alvarez, M.D., professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and chairman of GCF's Advocacy Committee. "Based on the enthusiasm of the groups involved and the proven success of our joint programs, this has proven to be truly a win-win scenario for all and especially the women we serve."
Several successful projects have resulted from collaboration with our Allied Support Members including the development of an Ovarian Cancer National Resource List and Gynecologic Oncology Educational Kits for Medical Professionals and the Lay Public. Recently, the input received from Allied Support Group members helped us create an enhanced "Survivors" section of GCF's Women's Cancer Network Web site, www.wcn.org, making this section an even more valuable tool for cancer survivors.
"All too often gynecologic cancer is overlooked and development of educational tools such as GCF's Educational Kit for Medical Professionals and Lay Public provide important information to help remedy the situation," said Saralyn Mark, M.D., senior medical advisor, Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "OWH fosters collaborations with other federal agencies and organizations such as GCF and is privileged to be a member of the GCF Allied Support Group. The manner in which GCF has brought together the organizations dedicated to women's cancer care and the mission of the Allied Support Group is to be applauded."
GCF's grassroots efforts are carried out nationwide through the members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, cancer centers and community hospitals as well as local chapters of gynecologic cancer advocate organizations. GCF partners with celebrities such as Fran Drescher, Cher, Barbara Walters, and others to raise awareness through public service announcements and advertisements. GCF also works with The Miss Universe Organization, as well as non-profit organizations and corporations to raise awareness and educate the public about gynecologic cancer.
Last year, GCF also partnered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to support research as it relates to the links between ovarian and breast cancer and to create a new educational brochure for breast and ovarian cancer survivors entitled "After Breast Cancer - What you need to know about your gynecologic health... The truths about the links between ovarian and breast cancer." This year, as part of GCF's Cervical Cancer Public Education campaign to raise awareness about newly approved cervical cancer screening guidelines, GCF is partnering with organizations that have an interest in cervical cancer and women's health.
For more information about GCF or links to the organizations mentioned in this article, log on to GCF's Web site at www.wcn.org, or call GCF's Information Hotline at 800/444-4441.
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