Dr. Janice Kwon Leads Groundbreaking Study
A landmark international clinical trial conducted by researchers from the UBC faculty of medicine heralds a paradigm shift in the treatment of low-risk early-stage cervical cancer.
Published in the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine, the findings of the CX5/SHAPE trial compare the conventional standard of care, radical hysterectomy, with a less invasive alternative, simple hysterectomy.
The study unequivocally demonstrates the safety, efficacy, and enhanced quality of life associated with the simpler surgical approach post-surgery. Dr. Janice Kwon, a professor in UBC’s department of obstetrics and gynaecology, spearheaded the study’s economic analysis, expressing optimism about its global impact on cervical cancer treatment.
Dr. Lori Brotto’s Insight on Quality of Life
Dr. Lori Brotto, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at UBC and executive director of the Women’s Health Research Institute, emphasizes the significance of preserving overall quality of life and sexual health for cervical cancer patients. Her analysis underscores the favorable outcomes associated with a simple hysterectomy, offering hope for improved well-being without compromising treatment integrity.
Global Implications and Future Prospects
With cervical cancer being a significant health concern globally, especially in less affluent regions, the implications of this study are profound. Dr. Lois Shepherd, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Queen’s University and one of the CX5 investigators, emphasizes the potential for surgical de-escalation to facilitate access to less radical interventions in low and middle-income countries.
Led by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), the CX5/SHAPE study involved 700 women from 12 countries, supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).