[2023-09-20] World GO Day 2023
Today is World Gynecologic Oncology Day or World GO Day, for short. This is the fifth year for the awareness campaign, which was launched in 2019 by ENGAGe (the European Network of Gynaecological Cancer Advocacy Groups), part of ESGO (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology).
The aim of the annual exercise is to improve awareness of gynecological cancers: cervical, ovarian, uterine (endometrial), vulvar and vaginal.
As I shared in last year's World Gynecologic Oncology Day post, the projected incidence of such cancers in Canada in 2022 (most recent statistics) was:
- Uterine cancer – 8,100 cases
- Ovarian cancer – 3,000 cases
- Cervical cancer – 1,450 cases
- Other female genital organ cancers (including vulvar and vaginal cancers) – 1,075 (2018 data)
While these cancers are not as common as the big three—breast (28,900), prostrate (24,600) and colorectal (24,300)—they are significant when grouped together as gynecologic cancers (13,625). (Of course, even one case of a gynecologic cancer is significant to the person who develops it.) Moreover, the less common nature of gynecologic cancers means that fewer people are aware of them. By way of example, before I got ovarian cancer, I personally knew only one person who had experienced a gynecologic cancer. And other people have told me that before they learned of my ovarian cancer diagnosis, they had never known of someone with that disease.
That's why I support World GO Day. This year's theme is GO for Testing, GO for Prevention, GO for the Right Treatment. The World GO Day website notes that:
Every year, more than 1 million women are diagnosed with cervical, ovarian, endometrial or other types of gynecologic cancers. However, these diseases are still not very well known. Women themselves may be unaware about the signs and possibilities of prevention, early detection and treatment. World GO Day represents a unique opportunity to not only to raise awareness about these cancers in the general public but also to educate and remind women about the importance of sharing information and experiences.
Here are some things you can do to participate in World GO Day and thereby increase awareness of gynecologic cancers:
- Wear purple (clothes, lips, nails) on September 20 to raise awareness about World GO Day and gynecologic cancers.
- Share social media posts related to World GO Day, such as on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter), using hashtags such as #WorldGOday, #GOForTesting #GOForPrevention and #GOForPurple.
- If you have a cervix, see your healthcare provider about regular pap smears to screen for cervical cancer, the only one of the five gynecologic cancer types for which screening (testing before symptoms) is available.
- Read my post on the signs and symptoms of ovarian, uterine (endometrial), vulvar and vaginal cancers, the four gynecologic cancer types for which there are no reliable screening tests.
- If a family member has tested positive for a gene mutation known to increase the risk for a gynecologic cancer (or any cancer, for that matter) and you are eligible for genetic testing as a result, go for genetic testing yourself.
- If you or a family member has had a gynecologic cancer, let other family members know, which could inspire them to undergo screening and/or diagnostic testing sooner than they might otherwise.
The World GO Day website offers several helpful resources:
- A summary of different types of testing for gynecologic cancers.
- An informational brochure about HPV tests. The human papillomavirus, abbreviated HPV, is responsible for a considerable amount of cancers, including genital, anal and cervical. When I was diagnosed with perianal skin cancer, the surgical oncologist told me that it was likely caused by HPV.
- An informational brochure about genetic testing.
On this World GO Day, I encourage you to understand your risks for gynecologic cancers and to take care of your body. We all deserve to grow old and wear purple.
