In 2013, Christina Lizaso and I founded the #gyncsm chat and community on Twitter/ X. This year, eleven years later, we made the difficult decision to cease hosting the #gyncsm chat. You can read more about our decision on the #gyncsm blog. Our last chat will be Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 8pm ET with special guest and long time #gyncsm chat supporter, Cervivor.
We have done so much - in addition to changing our logo through the years.
We held a total of 108 chats (including this December chat). We covered many topics including risk factors, caregiving, parenting, working while being a cancer patient, personalized medicine, treatment side effects, how to work and communicate with your health care team and survivorship. These chats were possible because of the many individuals, organizations and groups that supported us.
We had support from gynecologic oncologists who volunteered their time to be our health care moderators and others who joined the chat as guests sharing their expertise. We had researchers join us to talk about their research and new treatments available to women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers. We chatted multiple times about every gynecologic cancer including the more rare types such as vulvar, sarcomas, GTD and primary peritoneal cancer. We held two digital health fairs and invited cancer support organizations to share the resources they provide to cancer patients and their caregivers. We've talked to cancer health equity experts about how to best provide cancer health care to all women. We've had chats focused on the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, fear of recurrence and how to talk to your children and family about your diagnosis. We've talked with genetics counselors about hereditary cancers, genetic testing and mutations. We raised awareness of pelvic health, pre-habilitation and nurse navigators. We discussed types of advocacy from research advocacy to advocating for yourself or your loved one. We talked frequently about clinical trials from the types of trials to how to search for and enroll in a trial. Annually, we shared the latest research news from the ASCO and SGO annual meetings. And we can't forget about the insights gynecologic cancer patients provided to each other and to researchers during our chats.
Personally, I have been blessed to be part of the #gyncsm chat. I am so grateful to have worked with Christina these past 11 years to bring support and education to the gyn cancer community. Working on the chat and sharing information has opened doors for me to expand my advocacy work. I not only meet some of the top gynecologic cancer researchers in the world but have had the opportunity to work with them. I've co-authored a book, presented at oncology meetings, and worked on SGO, ASCO and NCI committees. I also have had the opportunity to be a patient advocate on a number of clinical trials. And I learned from the gyn cancer patients and caregivers in our community- what a courageous and motivated group. I am sad to see the chat end but so appreciate the opportunities provided to me by the chat.
I will continue to share research information on X using the #gyncsm hashtag and our blog will remain active so that members can have access to the resources and chat transcripts.
You can find me here and as womenofteal on X, , Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky.
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing
