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Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group

The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is the peak, national gynaecological cancer clinical trials organisation for Australia and New Zealand.

ANZGOG has more than 1,150 members representing clinical, allied health and pure research specialities. ANZGOG clinical trials are conducted at over 50 hospital sites and include both local and global collaborations to ensure the best research is available for women. Our purpose is to improve the outcomes and quality of life for women with gynaecological cancers through conducting and promoting cooperative clinical trials and undertaking multidisciplinary research into causes, prevention and treatments of gynaecological cancer.

“I can think of no better way to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of women with cancer than to be an advocate of clinical trials.”

Associate Professor Alison Brand AM, Gynaecological Oncologist & ANZGOG Director.

ANZGOG has an outstanding array of supporters through their community fundraising initiatives, including WomenCan, Honour Her, Team Teal, and Save the Box, which all raise funds for gynaecological cancer research conducted by ANZGOG.

In their efforts to raise awareness and make an impact in the gynaecological cancer space, ANZGOG leads various initiatives, including research and prevention, and their ground-breaking education initiative–  Survivors Teaching Students®.

Survivors Teaching Students®

Survivors Teaching Students® (STS) is a ground-breaking volunteer program that brings ovarian and other gynaecological cancer survivors and caregivers into the classrooms of medical, nursing, and health professional students to share their experiences of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and provide key information on the diseases.

Survivors and caregivers are in a unique position to help students understand the lived experience of a gynaecological cancer, including the emotional impact. Our aim is to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian and gynaecological cancers amongst our future diagnosticians, so the diseases are detected without delay. The program also provides opportunities for students learn about the importance of good communication, especially in dealing with sensitive topics and difficult conversations.

“The ANZGOG STS program is an insightful experience, delivered at a time in which our cohort can benefit most from such a personal perspective. I feel grateful to have received this talk from such inspiring cancer survivors and hardworking caregivers, and it was an incredibly interesting time learning about the direct impact on life that I had previously only experienced as a relative of such a survivor.”

Jeffrey Feng, Curtin University medical student.

STS was brought over to Australia from the US in 2017, after Bronwyn Grout, a foundation volunteer, first stumbled across the program. Since its launch, STS has reached over 3,000 university students across Australia and New Zealand and has accumulated a total of 110 volunteers.

Every day, STS volunteers experience the benefits of this incredibly rewarding program. As volunteers, survivors and caregivers can educate and shape the minds of our future medical professionals. STS has given its volunteers a platform to share their unique perspectives and an opportunity for their experiences to make an impact on the lives of women diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer in the future.

“STS is much more than an education/awareness program for medical and nursing students. It is also a space where woman and their families can feel like they are contributing to something bigger than themselves, where their experience of living with ovarian cancer can be put to good use. One health professional with a good understanding of ovarian cancer has the potential to benefit hundreds, if not thousands of ovarian cancer patients over the years of their career, both directly and by informing the practices within their workplaces.”

Kristin Young, ovarian cancer survivor and long-term STS volunteer

ANZGOG welcomes ovarian or gynaecological cancer survivors or caregivers to get involved with the program. If you would like to volunteer or know anyone who is a gynaecological cancer survivor or caregiver and would be interested in the program, please contact bree.stevens@anzgog.org.au.