Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month urges education, action, and support
Events, toolkits, and challenges aim to educate and engage the community
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September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and advocacy groups are running campaigns to raise awareness about gynecological cancers, raise funds for research, and encourage the community to get active.
“September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize the global burden of the five gynecologic cancers—cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar—and renew our collective commitment to improving outcomes for all who are affected,” the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) said on its website.
Gynecologic cancers affect thousands each year
Gynecologic cancers are a group of cancers that affect the female reproductive system. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, more than 110,000 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer in 2026, and more than 34,000 are expected to die from one this year.
The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) established Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month in 1999. According to the foundation’s website, this month is “a time to honor survivors, remember those we’ve lost, educate communities, and drive action toward better prevention, earlier detection, and improved outcomes for all.”
Some gynecologic cancers can be difficult to detect early. Symptoms may not be noticeable in the early stages, and signs such as bloating, pelvic pain, and abnormal bleeding can be subtle or may not immediately prompt someone to seek medical attention. Stigma and taboos surrounding the female reproductive system and women’s health can also make these cancers uncomfortable to discuss.
A key goal of awareness month is therefore to reduce stigma and educate people about possible signs and symptoms, which may help prompt people to seek medical care. The FWC has created an advocacy toolkit with educational graphics and other resources that can be shared on social media using the hashtags #GynecologicCancerAwarenessMonth, #GCAM, #MoveTheMessage, and #Move4Her. The IGCS also offers educational resources and shareable graphics for the month.
Advocacy groups turn awareness into action
“Through my journey, I’ve witnessed the disparities that keep too many people from receiving the care they deserve simply because gynecologic cancers are often uncomfortable to talk about,” Tiera Wade, director of community outreach and partnership at the advocacy group Cervivor, said in a Cervivor blog post.
Advocacy groups are also hosting a range of fundraising and educational events throughout the month. The FWC’s Race to End Women’s Cancer, which can be joined virtually or in Washington, D.C., takes place on Sept. 20. Throughout the month, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) is hosting events, including fitness classes and a boat march, at sites across the U.S.
Cervivor is supporting several events, including the inaugural Cervical Cancer Patient Summit in California on Sept. 19, and is holding an advocacy retreat Sept. 24-27 in Arizona. Other Cervivor-supported activities include a free webinar on sexual health and quality of life after cancer on Sept. 24, virtual meetups throughout the month, and themed awareness campaigns each week of September.
A highlight of awareness month is World Gynecologic Oncology Day, observed each year on Sept. 20. Events take place in countries around the world to raise awareness.
Several groups are also encouraging physical activity during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. Efforts to that end include OCRA’s virtual 60-Mile Move Challenge and the 30 Days of Movement initiative from U.K.-based advocacy group Peaches Womb Cancer Trust.
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