Helping more women achieve a life beyond cancer

Treatment for gynecologic cancer has changed dramatically in recent years, thanks to the work of leading BC Cancer experts. 

 

For example, Dr. Jessica McAlpine, BC Cancer’s Head of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and team developed a practical molecular classification tool to identify four subtypes of endometrial cancer. She worked with BC Cancer to make it available for free for all newly diagnosed patients across the province, to help determine which women are at higher risk of recurrence and require additional treatment, and which women will be cured by surgery alone. As a result, The World Health Organization and European Union now recommend testing for molecular markers in endometrial cancer as a first step for more tailored and appropriate care. 

 

However, there is more work to be done: 30% of women diagnosed with the “Mismatch Repair Deficiency” subtype of endometrial cancer – women like Lee - do not respond to tailored therapies, and we do not yet understand why. We must help find the answer to this critical question to help more women achieve a life beyond gynecologic cancer.

 

Dr. McAlpine, along with BC Cancer Medical Oncologist Dr. Yvette Drew, will embark on a new study to gain a deeper understanding of why so many in the mismatch repair subtype do not respond to their specialized treatment. This will entail complex molecular analysis, bioinformatics and even artificial intelligence to help map out the differentiators we can predictably see in these cancers. The goal is to uncover a reliable biomarker to classify patients and build on this knowledge to identify new, more effective therapies that could be tested in clinical trials. Dr. Drew specializes in the care and management of patients with gynecological cancers and the development and delivery of new therapies in early phase clinical trials. 

 

Together, we can help fund this study which requires approximately $500,000 in philanthropic funds– or $100,000 per year for 5 years - to provide hope for women facing a gynecologic cancer and for future generations.

 

Lee Curell passed away on November 3, 2023. Lee was a beacon of love and kindness, devoting her life to caring for, helping and supporting others. She provided support and care to her younger siblings growing up, was the loving and cherished mother to her daughter Jessie, and relished being an aunt to her nieces and nephews. Professionally, Lee was a dedicated OR nurse and exuded compassion and the utmost professionalism towards her patients. In later years, Lee gave her time and expertise to many causes, volunteering with the Sun Run as a trainer, and with both the Rogue Folk Club and Destination Vancouver. Most recently, she passionately introduced, encouraged and assisted others to take up her beloved sport of pickleball. She is dearly missed by all who loved her.