University of Queensland researchers have received a $3 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council to establish a new Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) to Transform the Quality of Survival in Gynaecological Cancer Patients (ALIVE WELL).
Professor Andreas Obermair, from UQ’s Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), said there were enormous gaps (and still are) in our knowledge of gynaecological cancer and how to prevent, diagnose and treat it in the most effective way
“For 20 years, we have been advocating for greater research funding because we know the treatment and supportive care options we currently have for women with gynaecological cancer are outdated and patients deserve better,” Professor Obermair said.
“This CRE funding will transform the standard care of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer from a rigid, institution-centred approach to a contemporary, personalised and women-centred approach.
“The CRE will focus on three priority areas of unmet need in gynaecological cancer care: enabling fertility after endometrial cancer; reducing lymphoedema; and optimising cancer recovery.”
The objectives are:
- To increase the proportion of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer who can be offered the option of uterus-sparing treatment.
- To generate evidence on surgical treatment options in endometrial and vulvar cancer to reduce the risk of leg lymphoedema and more personalised treatment options.
- To generate evidence to support a survivorship model for patients to optimise recovery from cancer.
The centre builds on 6 clinical trials that the team are currently running, involving over 2500 women with gynaecological cancer from around the world.
Under this CRE, three new clinical trials will commence.
UQCCR researcher Dr Eva Baxter said the trials each aimed to address a different aspect of improving gynaecological cancer treatment and follow-up and monitoring how this impacts women’s lives.
“We will look at things including pregnancy rates and cancer recurrence after treatment, healthy habits and exercise interventions for patients during and after treatment, and barriers to implementing new treatment pathways in clinical practice” Dr Baxter said.
“Overall, our aim is to improve quality of life, health and function during and after gynaecological cancer treatment so that women can get back to living their best lives.”