SGO Advocates Needed to Pursue Expanded Endometrial Cancer Research at the Department of Defense

SGO leadership is excited to announce that this year SGO will advocate for an increased focus and greater funding for endometrial cancer research at the Department of Defense (DoD). During the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 congressional appropriations cycle, SGO will be advocating for a separate line item to establish a new endometrial cancer research program under the DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

SGO has successfully advocated over the last two years for endometrial cancer to be listed as a research priority under the CDMRP Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program. SGO believes, however, that the pace of discovery in endometrial cancer research is inadequate given the well-documented disparities and the increased incidence and mortality in endometrial cancer.

Like the DoD Ovarian Cancer Research Program under the CDMRP, a new program focused solely on endometrial cancer research will enable the pursuit of ground-breaking research to address critical knowledge gaps that will lead to improved detection, prevention and treatment of endometrial cancer. SGO will seek an initial $5 million to launch the new endometrial cancer program in FY 2023. A strong, sustained advocacy effort will be required over the next several months to persuade Congress of the necessity and value of this new program.

SGO members and patient advocates interested in supporting this goal are invited to join a new Ad Hoc Task Force on Endometrial Cancer Research that will assist in developing messaging to make the case for the creation of a new DoD endometrial cancer research program and participate in congressional advocacy activities to get it done. Task Force members must be willing to commit to the following:

• Provide data and rationale for endometrial cancer research and how this research relates to the military.
• Engage in direct email and phone communications with the offices of your Representative and Senators to advocate for the new program throughout the FY 2023 congressional appropriations process.
• Participate in the SGO congressional fly-in day in September.

Please contact Katie Martino, Manager of Governance and Clinical Practice, if you have questions about this new initiative or to affirm your interest and commitment to participate in the Ad Hoc Task Force on Endometrial Cancer Research and the activities listed above. Working together, SGO can help change the trajectory of endometrial cancer by energizing and enhancing research activities that will lead to improved endometrial cancer detection, care and survival rates.