CONFRONTING PICTURE OF GROWING WOMEN’S HEALTH CRISIS IN UTERINE CANCERS. ANZGOG State of the Nation report highlights inequities in uterine cancer outcomes across Australia
With
Associate Professor Yoland Antill, Director and Deputy Chair, Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG)
SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | December 2025
Uterine cancers have become Australia’s fastest-growing women’s cancer, with incidence doubling over the past 25 years and projected to continue to surge. Without immediate action, more than 44,000 women are expected to be diagnosed by 2035, and 8,900 will lose their lives to the disease.
Released November 2025, Australia’s first State of the Nation: Uterine Cancers in Australia 2025 report by the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), reveals a confronting picture of a growing women’s health crisis that has gone largely unseen and one that now requires immediate, coordinated national action.
Once considered a cancer that primarily affected older women, the report highlights an alarming new trend: incidence is now rising fastest among women aged 25 to 44, with cases in this age group expected to increase by around 60 per cent alone, over the next decade.
Despite its growing impact, uterine cancer remains largely invisible in Australia’s cancer conversation. The limited research available notes, 94 per cent of women are unaware of what uterine or endometrial cancers are yet increased awareness of the disease and risk factors could prevent up to 60 per cent of future diagnoses. Research investment for uterine cancers lags far behind other cancers.
In addition, support and psychosocial care for women living with uterine cancers are inconsistent, and currently there is no dedicated national advocacy organisation. Many women face pain, fatigue, anxiety and long-term side effects alone.
State of the Nation report sets out a national plan to reverse the rise in uterine cancers and transform outcomes for Australian women
The report identifies five urgent priorities: halve incidence, eliminate inequities, ensure access to precision care, support every woman to live well, and invest in research and data. Achieving these goals will require united action from government, researchers, clinicians, industry and the community to deliver the innovation, equity and support Australian women deserve.
Source: Adapted from ANZGOG media release November 2025
Report: ANZGOG State of the Nation Report into Uterine Cancers can be read here https://www.anzgog.org.au/sotn-uterine-cancer, prepared by Insight Economics
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Developing the nation’s first Health and Medical Research Strategy
Professor Steve Wesselingh serves as the CEO of NHMRC, having initially trained as an infectious diseases doctor. His career includes prominent roles such as Head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Alfred Hospital, Director of the Burnett, Dean of Medicine at Monash University, and the inaugural Director of SAHMRI. Under his leadership, NHMRC plays a critical role in funding health and medical research, allocating approximately a billion dollars annually to investigator-led projects, clinical trials, and various strategic initiatives. NHMRC also collaborates internationally with organisations such as the MRC and the EU, and manages grant allocation for the MRFF, which distributes $650 million each year.
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Continuity of Care under COVID-19
Series 3, Episode 1
Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Healthcare system has handled the public health crisis by monitoring and responding to challenges in supply chains, testing & tracing of new infections and stock piling of essential equipment.
The public has largely responded by practising social distancing, understanding how hand hygiene can spread contagion and recently installing the COVIDSafe mobile application. Public health messaging has been largely effective and literacy improve, to combat the dangers of misinformation.
To open up access to medical advice during the pandemic, in March the Australian government issued MBS item codes for telehealth consultations, for advanced practice nurses as well as GPs and other specialists.
According to AMA President Dr Tony Bartone, as of mid-May 2020, around 10 million Medicare-funded telehealth services have been provided, either over the phone or via video, a significant majority of which have been provided by GPs and other specialists since the Medicare telehealth items were introduced in March.
However in recent months, the health system has mounting concerns on:
- a reduction in general practice visits for testing, investigation or immunisation
- lower rates of elective procedures resuming since being halted
- reduction in laboratory testing
- reduction in treatments and diagnosis of chronic and acute conditions
- access to, and continuing to take medications
Those with pre-existing conditions have been urged to keep appointments and routine treatments to maintain their health.
Industry has taken action such as the newly formed Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC). The 15 health organisations forming CCC are an Australian first national communication collaboration of Peak Bodies, Industry and Healthcare Organisations coming together to stress the importance for people to continue monitoring their health and maintaining their regular care.
This Australian Health Journal episode on the continuity of care was produced with commentary from the following health industry associations and organisations: APNA – Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, RACGP, Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), West Cessnock Medical Practice, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Medicines Australia
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FULL FEATURE Consumers and communities as agents of health care change and improvement
Policymakers, health administrators and clinicians must learn and embrace new ways to harness the transformative role consumers, community members and carers can play. Conversely, consumers and communities need support, capability and capacity to engage as equals in policy, research, program and service design. This is necessary if are to be less technocratic and realise the vision where all members of society can live the best life possible.
