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  • WHV Women’s Health Vic

    WHV Women’s Health Vic

    Leading the pursuit of gender equity in health.

  • WHV Women’s Health Atlas

    WHV Women’s Health Atlas

    View and compare Victorian sex-disaggregated data, observe trends and download fact sheets.

    WHV Women’s Health Atlas
  • WHV Training Hub

    WHV Training Hub

    View our range of training and professional development workshops for individuals and workplaces.

    WHV Training Hub
  • WHV Labia Library

    WHV Labia Library

    Ever wondered if your vagina is normal? This award-winning resource provides information about labia and a photo gallery to show how different they can be.

    WHV Labia Library
  • 1800 My Options

    1800 My Options

    Find the information and services you need for Sexual and Reproductive Health.

    1800 My Options
  • Counterpart

    Counterpart

    Connecting, supporting and informing women with cancer to live well.

    Counterpart
  • shEqual

    shEqual

    shEqual is a movement for gender equality in advertising – an Australian first.

    shEqual
  • In My Prime

    In My Prime

    A resource for women as we age, bringing together evidence-based and relevant health and wellbeing information with a celebration of our bodies.

    In My Prime
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Services & Support

Women & cancer

Gender inequality affects women’s experiences of cancer

Gender inequality contributes to women and trans and gender-diverse people having poor experiences of cancer prevention, care and treatment.

Attention to women’s health issues has often focused on reproductive and maternal health, and this has repercussions for cancer, with breast and gynaecological cancers more likely to be prioritised, funded and studied. While breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for women in Victoria, the next most common are bowel, lung, and melanoma; and for people under 25, blood cancers are the most common cancers. Gender bias in healthcare can also result in women not receiving optimal care; for example, women with cancer are more likely to report inadequate pain relief compared to men. 

Gender inequality affects women’s experiences of cancer in other ways, too. For example, the gender pay gap, traditional gender roles, and caregiving responsibilities are key factors in causing financial insecurity, which can limit access to necessary healthcare. As a result, women may face delays in obtaining timely diagnoses and quality cancer care. 

These gender biases in cancer care are often intensified for different communities such as trans and gender-diverse people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, leading to poorer health outcomes.

At Women’s Health Victoria we are leading the drive for gender-equitable access to cancer treatment and care for all Victorians, and working to connect and support women living with cancer to live well.

A diverse group of women holding hands on the beach

group of women with hands in the air at Counterpart wellbeing day event

About Counterpart

Counterpart is a service of Women’s Health Victoria, connecting, supporting and informing women with cancer to live well. We support women and gender-diverse people from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. 

Counterpart has been providing peer support, information and health and wellbeing events for women affected by cancer for over 20 years. 

Counterpart’s free and confidential service complements the medical system and other cancer support services by providing practical and emotional support via:

  • peer support – our trained Peer Support Volunteers have lived experiences of cancer, providing a unique understanding and support to other women 
  • helping women find reliable, evidenced-based information
  • running free events across rural and regional Victoria to provide information, support and connection.

Donate to Counterpart

Thousands of women are diagnosed with cancer each year in Victoria. Counterpart provides information and support to these women, their families and friends during treatment and beyond. Support us to support you or the women you know and care about.

Acknowledgement of Country

Women’s Health Victoria acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Owners of the land that our offices are situated on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

As a statewide organisation, we also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and water across Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and their Elders past and present.

Read more about our Reconciliation Action Plan

Our Commitment to Gender Diversity and Inclusion

Women’s Health Victoria’s focus is women (cis and trans inclusive) and gender-diverse people. We address feminist health issues and are committed to supporting all people impacted by gender inequity who can benefit from our work. As a proud intersectional feminist organisation, Women’s Health Victoria is working towards meaningful inclusivity, guided by and supporting people who identify as women, trans, intersex and gender diverse.

Read about our commitment