Urgent call for West Australians to help shape the future of gynaecological cancer care

MEDIA RELEASE 

Wednesday, 26 August 2026   

Every day in Australia, 19 people are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer, including ovarian, uterine/endometrial, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers, and tragically, six people lose their lives. 

Behind every diagnosis is a deeply personal experience of navigating symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and the lasting impact of cancer.  One that can affect not only the person diagnosed, but also their family, friends and those who care for them. 

The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is now urgently calling on West Australians who have experienced gynaecological cancer, or cared for someone through it, to consider sharing their experience to help shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. 

Through its Survivors Teaching Students® (STS) program, people who choose to volunteer bring their lived experience into university classrooms, sharing their perspectives with medical, nursing and allied health students. 

From recognising symptoms and receiving a diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and the physical and emotional challenges that can follow, their stories take future healthcare professionals beyond the textbook and into real life.  

More West Australian voices are urgently needed. 

ANZGOG CEO, Caitlin Francis said the call for new volunteers comes as ANZGOG works to ensure future health professionals can learn directly from those who understand the realities of gynaecological cancer firsthand. 

“Clinical knowledge is essential, but there is something incredibly powerful about hearing directly from someone who has lived through a gynaecological cancer diagnosis. These stories bring learning to life. They help future doctors, nurses and other health professionals understand not just the disease, but the person behind the diagnosis and the impact cancer can have on every part of their life.” Ms Francis said. 

“We urgently need more Tasmanian voices, and we’re inviting people to learn more about the program and consider whether this might be a meaningful opportunity for them.” she added. 

Since launching in Australia in 2017, and expanding to New Zealand in 2021, Survivors Teaching Students has reached more than 25,000 medical, nursing and allied health students through presentations delivered by 117 volunteers, in partnership with 23 universities across Australia and New Zealand.  

For medical student and PhD candidate Nikita Rosendahl, attending an STS presentation during her medical degree was an experience that left a lasting impression and influenced her future direction. 

“In my second year of medical school, I attended a class on ovarian and gynaecological cancers through the Survivors Teaching Students program. This was, by far, the most memorable and impactful lecture I had that year. Since then, I have commenced an intercalated PhD program alongside my medical degree, focusing on the function of the immune system in ovarian cancer. I truly believe this lecture by STS played a major role in shaping my research interests.” 

For STS presenter residing in Perth West Australia, Melisa Young, sharing her story is an opportunity to create a lasting legacy in memory of her mother Jayne. 

“When someone you love is diagnosed with gynaecological cancer, you experience the journey alongside them. Sharing my perspective through Survivors Teaching Students allows me to turn that experience into something positive and help future health professionals understand the impact they can have, not only on their patients, but on the families who support them.

I would encourage other carers, and women who have experienced a gynaecological cancer diagnosis, to consider getting involved. Sharing your story is a powerful way to help shape the care and experiences of patients and families in the future.” 

ANZGOG is now inviting West Australians with a lived experience of gynaecological cancers, including survivors and carers, to join its national community of STS volunteers. Volunteers receive training and ongoing support, and no previous public speaking experience is required. 

Could your experience be the one that stays with a future doctor, nurse or health professional and helps shape how they care for someone diagnosed with gynaecological cancer? 

To learn more or register your interest in becoming an STS volunteer in West Australia, visit https://www.anzgog.org.au/sts/ ENDS 

About Survivors Teaching Students® 

Survivors Teaching Students® is an ANZGOG program that brings people with lived experience of gynaecological cancer into university classrooms to share their stories directly with medical, nursing and allied health students. 

The program commenced in Australia in 2017 and expanded to New Zealand in 2021. To date, more than 25,000 students have participated in STS presentations, delivered by 117 volunteers in partnership with 23 universities across Australia and New Zealand. 

Volunteers receive training and ongoing support and join a passionate community dedicated to helping shape a better future for people diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. 

About ANZGOG 

The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is the peak national gynaecological cancer research organisation for Australia and New Zealand. Our mission is to improve outcomes and quality of life for everyone with a lived experience of gynaecological cancer.