Each day in Australia, approximately 18 women are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer and five women die from the disease. One in 20 Australian women will develop a gynaecological cancer during her life. Gynaecological cancer affects women of all ages — mothers, wives, daughters and sisters alike. The Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research (QCGC Research) is a research unit based at The University of Queensland. Its mission is to research and develop the best standard of care for women experiencing gynaecological cancer.

It does this by:

• focusing its research efforts on finding causes for gynaecological cancer;
• preventing gynaecological cancer; and
• identifying more effective treatment options.

Through research, QCGC gives hope to women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer now and in the future.

Impact of gynaecological cancer on women

• Approx 6,600 Australian women were diagnosed with gynaecological cancer in 2020
• Just over 2,000 Australia women with gynaecological cancer died from the disease in 2020
• Women have a 1 in 20 chance of being diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer before their 85th birthday
• Gynaecological cancer encompasses a variety of cancers: ovarian, cervical, uterine,
vulval and vaginal

Things we know about gynaecological cancer

• Endometrial (uterine) cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer diagnosed in Australian women — standard treatment includes a full hysterectomy
• There is no screening test for ovarian cancer and symptoms can be vague and similar to other common conditions. Trust your instincts — no one knows your body like you do!
• Cervical cancer is more common among women who don’t have regular Cervical 
Screening Tests
• Women who have had cervical cancer or pre-cervical cancer in the past are more likely 
to get vaginal cancer — it is the least common gynaecological cancer
• Approx 400 Australian women were diagnosed with vulval cancer in 2020