Dr Gardner on the Infrastructure Needed to Permanently Embed PROs and Shared Decision-Making Into Research Frameworks in Oncology

“Research helps provide the answers we need, but it takes patients, providers, caregivers, and advocates all working together to move the national dialogue forward.”

Ginger J. Gardner, MD, FACOG, a gynecologic surgeon in the Section of Ovarian Cancer Surgery, physician lead of the Gynecology Disease Management Team Alliance, and vice chair of Hospital Operations in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discussed the growing need for advocacy and research funding in gynecologic oncology.

At the 2026 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, Gardner presented data from a survey that evaluated the experiences of 119 US-based patients with endometrial cancer who had received at least 1 line of chemotherapy. Among these individuals, 70% of patients reported that the burden of chemotherapy was almost as much as the burden of the disease itself. Additionally, 71% of patients said they would prefer not to receive chemotherapy again, and the minority of patients (n = ~2 of 5; 42%) reported sharing treatment decision-making equally with their physician. Moreover, 79% said they wish their physician spent more time discussing their personal goals with respect to treatment, and the majority (n = 9 of 10; 91%) wanted to know more about alternative options to chemotherapy.

These findings, taken in isolation, highlight the importance of collaborative care. However, they also fold into a larger conversation around advocacy in gynecologic oncology. Gardner explained that advocacy initiatives are currently focused on increasing federal line-item research funding to support innovation and improve outcomes for patients with gynecologic malignancies. According to Gardner, these efforts are especially urgent as incidence rates continue to rise and mortality disparities persist among marginalized populations, who experience significantly higher death rates associated with these diseases.

To help drive policy change, Gardner highlighted upcoming advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill that took place on March 13 and 14 through SGO, where patients, providers, and community advocates met with congressional offices to advocate for increased research funding in the federal fiscal year 2027 budget. Gardner stressed that amplifying patient voices remains critical to demonstrating the real-world effect of gynecologic cancers and the need for sustained investment in research.

Beyond national advocacy, Gardner underscored the role of community engagement through the Foundation for Women's Cancer, which brings together researchers, clinicians, advanced practice providers, patients, caregivers, and supporters to strengthen education and awareness efforts. Gardner described the organization as a “full circle moment” that unifies all stakeholders in gynecologic oncology around shared goals of improving patient education, fostering scientific discovery, and expanding access to research opportunities.

Ultimately, Gardner emphasized that meaningful progress in gynecologic cancer care will require collective action at both the local and national levels to ensure continued awareness, policy advancement, and equitable research support.