Finding Solutions for Women Facing Endometrial Cancer

Dr. Jessica McAlpine, gynecologic oncologist and Director of the Gynecological Tumour Bank, and her colleagues are making progress in endometrial cancer research. Two new studies have commenced with the focus on i) developing simple molecular classification tools to reliably distinguish endometrial cancers and provide better information to guide management, and ii) characterizing endometrial cancers in young women.

It is known that there are high- and low-risk endometrial cancer patients, yet definitions vary between and within cancer centres and clinicians currently lack an effective method to classify patients. Consequently, patients are either under- or over-treated. A new study is underway to see if a better classification system can be developed that could inform decision making at the earliest time point after diagnosis, in order to guide surgery and adjuvant therapy, and inform a woman of her likely prognosis.

The second study has identified all women in B.C. who developed endometrial cancer under the age of 50. Young women affected by endometrial cancer often face more challenging decisions than older women who may have completed childbearing and/or may be menopausal. This new study is the first to demonstrate that young women without any classical risk factors (obesity/excess estrogen, or inherited conditions) represent 1/3 of cases diagnosed in B.C. Dr. McAlpine’s team is working towards characterizing these tumours in terms of how they behave and molecular features.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer, with over 600 new cases diagnosed in B.C. every year. Approximately one-fifth of women with this cancer will die of their disease.

Read more about endometrial cancer research.

Undress for Underfunded, Below-the-Waist Cancers!


Over the past eight years, the Underwear Affair has raised over $4.8 million for below-the-waist cancers. These cancers are responsible for approximately 40% of cancer deaths in British Columbia, yet research is extremely underfunded.

The BC Cancer Agency’s cervical cancer screening program was the first organized program in the world to screen for cervical cancer. It is credited with an 85% reduction in the number of cases of cervical cancer and has reduced deaths by 75% since the 1950s. With increased funding, more research can be done, providing more innovative programs, studies and treatment solutions in British Columbia.

The Underwear Affair's 10 km run, 5 km walk or scavenger hunt is your chance to support research at the BC Cancer Agency and help change these growing statistics.

Register Today!

Pender Island Retreat to be Auctioned Off in Support of Cancer Research

When Robert Conconi was diagnosed with throat cancer—the same disease that took his father’s life— the news immediately transported him back 30 years as he recalled his father’s grueling treatments.

What Robert realized as he embarked on his own cancer journey is that over the years, major improvements have been made in cancer treatments.

Today, Robert is cancer free. Thankful for the care he received and inspired by the innovative research taking place at the BC Cancer Agency, Robert and his wife Diane donated Madrona Grove, a property located on Pender Island, to the BC Cancer Foundation.

The home has been consigned with The Garage Sale Luxury Auction House and on August 22, 2014, Madrona Grove will be sold via unreserved auction with 100% of all net proceeds provided directly to the BC Cancer Foundation to fund cancer research.

To inquire please contact: The Garage Sale Luxury Auction House at +1 778. 484. 5300 or visit www.luxuryauctionhouse.com