Decades of Underinvestment. Devastating Outcomes.
Decades of critical underinvestment in gynaecological cancer research have resulted in devastating outcomes for women.
While significant investment in cancer research has been made, over the past 20 years, gynaecological cancers have received some of the poorest funding in aggregate. This sustained underfunding has left survival rates stagnant at levels comparable for all cancers in 1975.
Gynaecological cancers are among the most lethal for women today.
Every day, six women lose their lives to gynaecological cancers — that’s over 2,200 annually.
The crisis is further compounded by stark inequities faced by women in regional, rural and remote areas, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and First Nations women.
These are not just statistics; they are women - our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and friends. And the impact extends far beyond the individual, affecting families and communities for generations.
It's time to say ENOUGH! Underfunding in research is costing women with gynaecological cancers their lives.
The Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative (GCTI) is a once-in-a- generation opportunity to revolutionise the diagnosis, treatment and care pathway for women with a gynaecological cancer, to significantly reduce the devastating impact of these diseases and save lives.
To achieve this transformation, a $70 million commitment is sought from the Australian Government over four years
Join us to demand change.
Together, we can save lives.
SEND A LETTER TO Minister Mark Butler and Assistant Minister Rebecca White
URGENT: Support for the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative in the 2026–27 Federal Budget
Dear Minister Butler and Assistant Minister White,
I am writing to express my strong support for funding the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative (GCTI) in the 2026–27 Federal Budget.
Gynaecological cancers continue to have a devastating impact on women and families across Australia. Many patients face late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and inconsistent access to specialised care. Greater national investment is urgently needed to improve outcomes.
The GCTI represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address these challenges through a coordinated national approach to research, early detection, clinical trials, precision medicine, and supportive care. Developed by sector leaders ANZGOG, with collaborative partners, the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Australia, and other partners, the initiative provides a clear, evidence-based pathway to accelerate progress and improve survival.
The proposal seeks $70 million over four years to implement a national program that will strengthen research translation, expand clinical trials, support genomic testing, improve data systems and ensure women with these rare and lower survival cancers can access the care and support they need.
Importantly, the initiative reflects strong collaboration, evidence and support across the women’s health, research and clinical sectors, and responds directly to the urgent needs of women.
Thank you for your leadership and ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for women’s health.
I respectfully encourage you to include the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative request as part of the 2026–27 Federal Budget, helping ensure that mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends in our communities can access the outcomes they deserve.
Yours sincerely,
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Enough is enough.
demand change today
A hidden crisis for australian women
Every day, 19 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer in Australia, including uterine, endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. Diagnoses are expected to surge by 21 per cent over the next 10 years.
Over 55 per cent of gynaecological cancers are rare or less common, meaning there are limited or no treatment options. Unlike other cancers and chronic diseases, gynaecological cancers grow silently during the curable stage, so that when detected, the cancer is often advanced and incurable.
About the Gynaecological Cancer transformation initiative
For the first time, leading gynaecological cancer organisations, clinical and pre-clinical researchers, and women with lived experience have joined forces to develop the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative.
This evidence-based initiative is a once-in-a- generation opportunity to revolutionise the diagnosis, treatment and care pathway for women with a gynaecological cancer, to significantly reduce the devastating impact of these diseases and save lives.
This Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative will bring three key and interdependent areas of focus:
- The woman’s journey – equitable access to optimal personalised treatment and improved survival, with specialist supportive care.
- The clinical team – delivering timely care that is driven by innovative application of technology, research and data.
- The research community – a framework for coordinating and integrating gynaecological cancer research for rapid translation into new treatment solutions (bench to bedside).
The goal is to deliver equitable access to world-class healthcare, improving quality of life and saving the lives of more than 30,000 Australian women with gynaecological cancer over the next decade alone.
Want to know more?
Download our full report for the details.
