Research Focus
The Gynaecological Cancers Group studies the epidemiology of gynaecological cancers, particularly ovarian and endometrial cancers, from aetiology to diagnosis, patterns of care, quality of life and survival. A particular focus is on the role of environmental (non-genetic) factors in the causation and prognosis of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Much of this work is conducted within two national record-linkage studies (OVARIAN and CURVVE), three national studies (AOCS, ANECS and OPAL) and two international consortia. The group is also leading the PROMISE study – a new hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial evaluating the use of electronic Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in routine cancer care.
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
OVARIAN: Ovarian cancer: investigating Variation in care and survival, Aetiology and Risk factors to Improve outcomes in Australia via National data linkage (MRFF, 2020-2025)
CURVVE: Linking routine health data to investigate variation and inequality in care and survival to improve outcomes for women with Cervical, Uterine, Vaginal and Vulvar cancer in Australia (Cancer Australia, 2023-2026)
PROMISE: Patient Reported Outcome Measures in cancer care: a hybrid effectiveness-Implementation trial to optimise Symptom control and health service Experience (Cancer Council Queensland, 2020-2024)
Past Research Projects
Improving Outcomes for Women with Endometrial Cancer: Follow-up, Survival and Quality of Life. (Cancer Australia, 2009-2011)
Improving outcomes from ovarian cancer: building the evidence to help women help themselves. The OPAL (Ovarian cancer, Prognosis and Lifestyle) Study. (NHMRC, 2012-2021)
Funding
Current
- National Health and Medical Research Council (Investigator Grant 2020-2025)
- Medical Research Futures Fund (OVARIAN 2020-2025)
- Cancer Australia (CURVVE 2023-2026)
Past
- Cancer Council Queensland – Accelerating Collaborative Cancer Research Grant (PROMISE 2020-2024)
- National Health and Medical Research Council – Program and Project grants (OPAL, ANECS)
- National Health and Medical Research Council – Fellowships (2008-2018)
- US Department of Defense (AOCS)
We gratefully acknowledge the donations received from individuals and groups including the Brisbane Women’s Club, Donald and Joan Wilson Foundation, Zonta Clubs of Devonport & Toowoomba Garden City, Hash House Harriettes, and Mr Ken Farrow.
Publications
Na R, Jordan SJ, DeFazio A, Williams M, Livingstone K, Obermair A, Friedlander M, Grant P, Webb PM for the OPAL Study Group. Use of menopausal hormone therapy before and after diagnosis and ovarian cancer survival—A prospective cohort study in Australia. In J Cancer 2025; 156: 280-292.
Webb PM, Jordan SJ. Global epidemiology of epithelial ovarian cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21: 389-400.
Webb PM, Brown A, Brown B, Collins LG, Williams FC, Doupain K et al. Patient Reported Outcome Measures in cancer care: a hybrid effectiveness-Implementation trial to optimise Symptom control and health service Experience (PROMISE)–protocol for a randomised controlled trial of electronic self-reporting of symptoms versus usual care during and following treatment in patients with cancer. BMJ Open 2024; 14: e090836
Further Information
- Dr Christina Nagle
- Dr Torukiri Ibiebele
- Dr Jia-Li Feng
- Dr Vanessa Beesley
- Dr Emily Fearnley
- Professor Susan Jordan, School of Public Health, University of Queensland
- Professor David Bowtell, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Professor Anna de Fazio, Westmead Institute for Medical Research
Members of the OPAL Study Group
- Professor Michael Friedlander, Prince of Wales Cancer Centre
- Associate Professor Peter Grant, Mercy Hospital for Women
- Professor Andreas Obermair, Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancers, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Members of the PROMISE Study Group
- Professor Ray Chan, Flinders University
- Dr Bena Brown, Menzies School of Health Research
- Dr Laurelie Wishart, Metro North and Griffith University
- Associate Professor David Wyld & Dr Melissa Eastgate, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
- Professor Sabe Sabesan & Dr Amy Brown, Townsville University Hospital
- Dr Jasotha Sanmugarajah & Dr Rob Mason, Gold Coast University Hospital
- Dr Rebecca Packer, University of Queensland
- Professor Afaf Girgis, University of New South Wales
- Mr Martin Doyle
- Ms Elizabeth Miller
Members of the OVARIAN Study Group
- Professor Paul Cohen, St John of God Hospital
- Professor Susan Jordan, University of Queensland
- Professor James Codde, Associate Professor Katrina Spilsbury & Dr Aime Powell, University of Notre Dame
- Associate Professor Peter Grant, Mercy Hospital
- Associate Professor Christopher Steer, Border Oncology
- Professor Colin Stewart, King Edward Memorial Hospital
Members of the CURVVE Study Group
- Professor Susan Jordan, University of Queensland
- Professor Karen Canfell, Dr Felicia Roncolato and Dr Megan Smith, University of Sydney
- Dr Jeffrey Goh, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation
- Associate Professor Yoland Anthill, Cabrini Health
- Dr Ming Yin Lin, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Professor Paul Cohen, St John of God Hospital
- Professor Julia Brotherton, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
- Professor Marion Saville, Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer
Overseas Collaborators
- OCAC: members of the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium
- MOCOG: members of the Multidisciplinary Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Group
- E2C2: members of the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium