IGCS Welcomes the Philippines to the Strategic Alliance Partnership
Dear IGCS Members:
I am very pleased to announce a new member in the Strategic Alliance Partner Program, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines (SGOP). 
SGOP is an exemplary organization of gynecologic oncologists and specialists of related disciplines committed to the continuous upgrading of the standards of practice, teaching and research in the field of gynecologic oncology in the Philippines. Much like IGCS, the members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines agree that a high standard of practice in gynecologic oncology is essential for all women diagnosed with gynecologic malignancies.
The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines was organized under the leadership of the first SGOP president, Dr. Luciano SJ Sotto. In existence for over thirty years, the Articles of Incorporation were approved on April 30, 1985 with 19 founding members including gynecologic oncologists, pathologists and radiation oncologists.
Michael Quinn, IGCS President has commented, “It was such pleasure to meet with SGOP President, Dr. Benjamin D. Cuenca, and the other leaders of SGOP while in Tokyo late last year. To hear from them directly about their passion for excellence in training, their aim of updating their cancer registry and their future goals makes a partnership with them an exciting prospect for both societies.” IGCS is also very grateful to Dr. Efren J. Domingo, a long time member of IGCS, who helped IGCS and SGOP connect.
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific, comprising more than 7,100 islands. Approximately 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer every day. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the Philippines. About 6,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year and about 4,349 die of the disease annually (Cited from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development).
I know you will help me in welcoming our friends from the Philippines.
Sincerely,
Mary Eiken, RN, MS
IGCS CEO