IT’S ALL systems go for a new group supporting women with in Dorset with gynaecological cancers.

Television producer Philippa Clunes, wife of actor Martin Clunes, officially launched the new Go Girls Support Group at an event in Poundbury.

The Go Girls Support Group was set up by Dorset County Hospital’s gynaecology nurse specialist Hilary Maxwell and patient Gill Harler in response to the growing number of women being affected by gynaecological cancers.

Mrs Clunes said she was ‘thrilled’ to be asked to launch the group and it was a cause that was very personal to her as she had lost her grandmother to ovarian cancer.

She said: “It does concern me that gynaecological cancers don’t get the awareness and coverage in the media that other cancers such as breast cancers does.”

Mrs Clunes added: “I think it’s brilliant that Gill and Hilary have set up this support group.

“I hope it’s the start of something not just throughout Dorset but throughout the whole of the UK.”

Hilary explained that the long term goal was to have a network of support groups throughout the country.

She said: “We might be starting small in Dorset but we want to get big.

“Our aim is to have a network of Go Girls Support Groups across the UK so that women can feel they are never alone.”

The group also aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of gynaecological cancers to more women are diagnosed earlier.

Gill was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011 and also lost her mother to the disease.

She said it was extremely important to offer women going through a similar experience a support network so they did not have to go through what she did alone.

Gill said: “It’s a day for all women with gynaecological cancers to be proud.

“We are giving women here in Dorset a forum for sharing and caring.”

The launch event was held at the Poet Laureate pub in Poundbury and Hilary thanked the venue for its support, as well as Sprint Signs in Weymouth for designing the group’s logo.

The group has also received the backing of local MPs Oliver Letwin and Richard Drax.

West Dorset MP Mr Letwin said: “This is a terrific initiative.

“We should all get behind it – I’m absolutely sure it will save lives by helping more women to get diagnosed earlier, when the chances of successful treatment are so much higher.”

South Dorset MP Mr Drax added: “This is a noble and necessary enterprise and comes at the same time the head of the NHS, Simon Stevens, is making the same point that women need earlier diagnosis.”

The group will meet on the first Friday of every month outside of a hospital environment.

For more information contact Hilary on 01305 255719 or visit facebook.com/groups/gogirlssupportgroup