With Federal Funding for Cancer Research on the Chopping Block, SGO Releases Report on Women's Cancer Research Priorities for Next Decade

Research Report to educate national policymakers as they prioritize research funding initiatives in women's health during a time of Federal funding constraints

CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In conjunction with September's designation as Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) has released a comprehensive research report entitled, "Pathways to Progress in Women's Cancer: A Research Agenda Proposed by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology." The collaborative document was written by the entire spectrum of women's cancer care specialists to assess the landscape of gynecologic cancer research and recommend specific 'requests for action' for each gynecologic cancer disease site. The report's overarching goal is to advance the women's gynecologic cancer research agenda for the next 10 years, even during these times of constrained levels of funding.

"This report will be a crucial stepping stone in creating specific national research programs that can leverage existing resources and use new resources wisely, all leading toward research discoveries that will help women," says SGO's Government Relations Committee Chair Monique Spillman, M.D. "Pathways to Progress will not only help us educate national policymakers as to progress made and future needs in women's cancer research. It will also help us to protect and continue support for the Department of Defense (DoD) Ovarian Cancer Research program."    

Specifically, the report notes the increasing needs for further collaboration and increased funding for bench and translational research, clinical trials, training and survivorship for each of the key cancers of the gynecologic tract, including ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers.

"The underlying implications of this report are far-reaching and pertinent for a host of audiences in the cancer care community," says Dr. John P. Curtin, President of the SGO. "We strongly believe in advocating for our patients and their families so that one day we can realize our vision of eradicating gynecologic cancers for women around the world."

For more information on the "Pathways to Progress" report, please contact SGO's Communications Department at 312/676-3904 or visit SGO's website at http://www.sgo.org/.

Susan Morris
Society of Gynecologic Oncology
Phone: 312-235-4060 ext. 244
Fax: 312-235-4059
[email protected]

SOURCE Society of Gynecologic Oncology