On this episode of the GOSH Podcast, we are joined by Bianca Hayes, a fierce gynecologic cancer advocate. Hayes left Vancouver on June 16 and pedalled 5,900 kilometres over 20 days to raise money for ovarian cancer research -- a cause near and dear to her heart after her sister, Katrina, died of the disease in 2018. Sponsored by A&W Canada, Bianca claimed the title of the fastest woman to bike across Canada in Summer 2020. She shares her journey with us as she continues to raise awareness and money for ovarian cancer.

Stay connected with Bianca to learn more about her advocacy work! 
A&W - @awcanada
Bianca - @theovariangang  or https://www.biancahayes.com/

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this episode, Nicole asks Stephanie about her experience facilitating patient oriented research at the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative. They talk about some of the important learning lessons, strategies and tips researchers and patient partners can use when starting out on their patient engagement journey. They also go through some amazing resources to get more involved with patient-oriented research (for both patient partners and researchers!) To learn more about patient-oriented research and how you can get involved check out these resources: 

• GCI Patient and Family Advisory Council
• BC Cancer Patient Experience Program 
• BC SUPPORT Unit 
• REACH BC 
• CIHR Strategy for Patient Oriented Research

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

We're back with Nicole and Amin! On this episode, they talk more about the process of navigating cancer as a young person. Amin shares more about the challenges she experienced including taking a break from her career and making the decision to freeze her eggs. She also talks about the importance of patient advocacy and how she is able to advocate for herself. Make sure to follow Amin Jaswal on Instagram to follow her on her journey -  https://www.instagram.com/aminjaswal/

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this two part series, we're joined by Amin Jaswal who was diagnosed in June 2019 at the age of 29 with Stage IIB glandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix. Nicole and Amin talked about the process of arriving to her diagnosis and how she talked to her family about her cancer. Amin shares her more about the important boundaries and mindset that are important to her as she navigates this journey. Make sure to follow Amin Jaswal on Instagram to follow her on her journey -  https://www.instagram.com/aminjaswal/

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

Dr. Lori Brotto chats with Nicole about her research on cancer survivorship, sexual health and mindfulness. She shines a light on sexual health and sexual difficulties/dysfunction gynecologic cancer patients might experience during the course of their treatment and survivorship. Dr. Brotto also shares how healthcare providers can have more engaged conversations about sexual health with their patients and how patients can start integrating mindfulness into their sexual health. Dr. Brotto is a Professor at UBC's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute at BC Women's Hospital.

Learn more about Dr. Brotto's work and the UBC sexual health laboratory by following them on their platforms! 
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ubcshr
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ubcshr/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ubcshr
Website - https://brottolab.med.ubc.ca/

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

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For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

Debra is a strong patient advocate and has been doing patient engagement in research for several years. She talks about the importance of patient engagement to the future of cancer care and the legacy she hopes to make. Debra also shares some important learning points for researchers and clinicians who are interested in engaging patient and family partners in their work.

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

Debra Walker, a fierce patient advocate, shares her cancer journey after experiencing both cervical and ovarian cancer. She talks about the differences in her experiences...from her diagnosis, treatment and survivorship for each of these cancers. We also get the chance to dive into some of her motivation behind her work in patient engagement and what she hopes her legacy will be.

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

Dr. Gillian Hanley joins us on the GOSH podcast to discuss ovarian cancer prevention in British Columbia and around the world. She talks about the high uptake of opportunistic salpingectomy in British Columbia, a procedure that helps prevent ovarian cancer by removing both fallopian tubes at the time of other gynecologic surgeries. Dr. Hanley is an Assistant Professor at UBC's Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and a health services/health economics researchers at OVCARE and the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative.

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this two part episode, Nicole continues sharing her cancer journey and encourages other patients and patient supporters to advocate for themselves, think of all the questions you want answered (big or small), and not to shy away from asking. This is your journey! You are the one who will live with the impacts, you have a say!

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this episode, Nicole shares her journey of being diagnosed with cervical cancer at 33 years old. We chat about how she coped with the news and the struggles she has faced in the last 4 years since completed her cancer treatment. We also touch on the unique challenges young adults face and the continued struggles that can become a theme throughout cancer survivorship. Our hosts dive in so deep, we had spit this episode into two so stay tuned!

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter - https://bit.ly/3jsViHM
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3dRQsCF
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3knUgOw

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] 

Where to learn more about us:  
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster 
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative 
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh