As we celebrated our 10th Anniversary as a Community on X/Twitter we were happy to be joined by Foundation for Women's Cancer, Cervivor, and Powell-Drescher Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to discuss how to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers.
We had 19 participants and 1.2 million impressions. You may find more analytics here and the transcript here.
Here are some tweets that highlighted key points mentioned during the chat.
T1 What are some of the things you, or your organization, do to raise awareness of GYN cancers? Are there things you've tried in expanding your reach to underserved communities?
T1: The heart and soul of everything we do is to educate and empower those impacted by #cervicalcancer to share their stories. Our stories have the power to create change. We've expanded our DEI initiatives to capture and reflect our community impacted by cervical cancer. #GYNCSM https://t.co/S6i71oEwjh pic.twitter.com/DfePf1Fzgf
— IamCervivor (@IamCervivor) September 14, 2023
T1: (1/2) FWC’s mission to raise awareness of gyn cancer utilizes social media campaigns, events (on-person & online) & special programs. Move4Her is our signature annual event – happening this year on Sept. 23 to raise awareness and research funds #gyncsm #MovetheMessage
— FdtnForWomensCancer (@GYNCancer) September 14, 2023
#gyncsm T1: education that is tailored in language, literacy and images; working always with community organizations locally and working directly with pts to share within their own social networks; @equalhope_il @SWIOChicago @BCancerCollab1
— Nita Lee (@NitaKarnikLee) September 14, 2023
t1: To raise awareness I @TurnTownsTeal in @MiddletownNJ! Happy to accept the Proclamation from Mayor @TonyPerryNJ at the Township Meeting delineating Sep as #OvarianCancerAwarenessMonth. I'm a Board Member for Kaleidoscope of Hope in NJ & we run 3 walks. #gynCSM
— Michele E. Collins (@Michele_w_1_L) September 14, 2023
T2: What are some of the key points to share when raising awareness about #CervicalCancer? What do you wish others knew? #gyncsm #MovetheMessage
T2.1: #CervicalCancer is preventable! You just have to know what to do. Nearly all are caused by #HPV. An HPV vaccine is available for everyone 26 and younger; It's an option for people 27-45. Two tests provide an early warning system: a Pap test and an HPV test. #GYNCSM https://t.co/XgzMkz1Mp3 pic.twitter.com/VpfYttEWv5
— IamCervivor (@IamCervivor) September 14, 2023
T2.2: The path to #cervicalcancer – HPV infection, abnormal cells, and early cancer – is a silent one. Over a period of years, your cervix may be developing a problem without you suspecting a thing. It’s so important to get tested regularly. Check out these warning signs. #GYNCSM https://t.co/XgzMkz1Mp3 pic.twitter.com/3FVtcI4A2e
— IamCervivor (@IamCervivor) September 14, 2023
T3: What are some of the key points to share when raising awareness about #UterineCancer and #EndometrialCancer? What do you wish others knew? #gyncsm #MovetheMessage
T3 there are risk factors for uterine cancer @IGCS June is uterine cancer awareness month. #gyncsm #MovetheMessage pic.twitter.com/2OCIqpfzz7
— Dee Sparacio (@womenofteal) September 14, 2023
T:3 (1/2) The most common warning sign for uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding regardless of age. This is especially important in women who have gone through menopause and stopped having regular menstrual cycles.#gyncsm #MovetheMessage
— FdtnForWomensCancer (@GYNCancer) September 14, 2023
T4: What are some of the key points to share when raising awareness about #OvarianCancer? What do you wish others knew? #gyncsm #MoveTheMessage
T4: It’s not an “old woman’s disease” as many think, but #ovariancancer can affect people in their 40s, or even younger. #gyncsm
— Powell-Drescher Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (@PowerOvarian) September 14, 2023
T4: There are no reliable screening tests for #OvarianCancer and the symptoms go ignored or unnoticed for months resulting in late-stage diagnoses. It's important to know family history and the resources for genetic testing. #GYNCSM https://t.co/1Y9wiIzOI5 pic.twitter.com/R01OL419d3
— IamCervivor (@IamCervivor) September 14, 2023
T4: (1/2) Recent studies have shown that many symptoms listed below, if new, persistent
— FdtnForWomensCancer (@GYNCancer) September 14, 2023
or worsening, are more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than in women in the general population. #gyncsm #MovetheMessage
T4 @OCRAhope has great get the facts page on Ovarian cancer on their website https://t.co/w9o7MJcs8b #gyncsm #MovetheMessage
— Dee Sparacio (@womenofteal) September 14, 2023
T4: With #ovariancancer I wish that doctors were having better conversations with patients about how likely a recurrence is. It isn't a pleasant topic but see too many blindsided by recurrence. Hopefully it is getting better. #gyncsm
— Christina Lizaso (@btrfly12) September 14, 2023
T5: Vaginal, vulvar, and several other gyn cancer types are rare. With fewer advocates and organizations to speak about these cancers, how can we educate more people? What is most important to know? #gyncsm #MovetheMessage
T5 The CDC has a fact sheet on vulvar / vaginal cancers. Many are caused by HPV. https://t.co/WDkG29SCVL#gyncsm #MoveTheMessage https://t.co/GxZnvzkzW2
— Dee Sparacio (@womenofteal) September 14, 2023
T5 If you feel a bump or rough or itchy area on your vulva – see a gynecologist. Mayo clinic has a good informational page https://t.co/rXoB1INAvH #gyncsm#MoveTheMessage
— Dee Sparacio (@womenofteal) September 14, 2023
You can visit the #gyncsm community blog Resources page to find links to some of the groups and/or info for the rarer forms of gyn cancer gyncsm.blogspot.com/p/resources_9.
We'd love your feedback on these three #gyncsm community questions. Feel free to comment in the box below or on Twitter.
Question 1 : Approximately how long have you followed the #gyncsm hashtag? What has the cancer community on this platform meant to you?
Question 2: How are you feeling about the cancer community on this platform now? Do you have back-up plans if/when this platform is no longer a good fit for you?
Question 3: What chat topics have you found most helpful? What topics would you like #gyncsm to cover in future chats?
Note there is no #gyncsm chat in October. Stay tuned for information about our next chat in November on Wednesday, November 8th at 8pm ET.
Thanks again to all our health moderators and supporters through the years.
Dee and Christina
