Actress Paula Duncan leads heartfelt campaign for gynaecological cancer research after sister’s death

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For Immediate release

Actress Paula Duncan leads heartfelt campaign for gynaecological cancer research after sister's death

After the passing of her sister, acclaimed Australian actress Carmen Duncan, Paula Duncan is turning grief into action, driving a powerful campaign to raise funds for life-saving research into gynaecological cancers.

Carmen Duncan died in 2019 at age 76 from vaginal cancer, a rare and aggressive disease, after surviving breast and bowel cancers. Her death highlights a confronting reality: despite medical advances, outcomes for many gynaecological cancers have barely improved in decades.

“If you have experienced the devastation of gynaecological cancer, you will understand why I am so passionate about changing outcomes for women in the future,” Ms Duncan said.

Across Australia, 19 people are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer every day (1).  Yet, despite their impact, these cancers remain among the most underfunded areas of cancer research. Over the past 20 years, they have received the lowest aggregate investment, contributing to survival rates that lag significantly behind other cancers (2).

Vaginal cancer in particular remains a low-survival cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 53.6 per cent, meaning nearly one in two diagnosed will not survive beyond five years. Alarmingly, this figure has seen little improvement in more than three decades (3).

Ms Duncan is now spearheading efforts to change this trajectory through the upcoming Venus Mother’s Day Lunch, an event combining expert insight, lived experiences and community action to raise critical funds for research across all gynaecological cancers, including ovarian, uterine (endometrial), cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers.

The event will feature a panel discussion, “Cause and Effect of Vaginal and Vulval Cancer,” with leading experts and advocates, including Professor Alison Brand AM, Director of Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) and Director of Gynaecological Oncology at Westmead Hospital, and survivor advocate Jane Hancox. The lunch will be hosted by beloved Australian performer Jean Kittson, with special guest performances.

Funds raised will support critical gynaecological cancer research and initiatives aligned with the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative (GCTI), which is working to address decades of systemic underinvestment and deliver better outcomes for future generations.

“We have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to ensure no one has to endure what my sister went through,” Ms Duncan said.

With a fundraising goal of $200,000, the campaign is already nearing $150,000, demonstrating strong community support, but with more needed to drive meaningful change. 

EVENT DETAILS 

Venus Mother’s Day Lunch 2026 

Friday, 8 May 2026 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm AEST 

Hyatt Regency Sydney 

To book or support Paula Duncan’s mission to change the future of gynaecological cancer by donating or attending the event: https://events.humanitix.com/venus-mothers-day-lunch-2026 

For more gynaecological cancer research information, please visit www.anzgog.org.au - ENDS -  

1. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/about  
2. https://www.anzgog.org.au/gcti/
3. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/about