ASGO was initiated in Seoul on November 27, 2008, aimed at scientific exchange, international collaboration, provision of educational opportunities, deepening friendship between members, and ultimately improvement of Asian women's health.

Historically, ASGO originated from a small regional society; the Japan-Korean Joint Conference of Gynecologic Oncology Group (JKGOG), which was organized at the 9th Biennial International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) in Seoul.1 During this annual meeting, gynecologic oncologists from these two countries acknowledged the importance of increased regional cooperation, and envisioned the necessity of a representative society which could encompass the whole of the Asian continent. The time to realize this dream has not taken long.

In fact, Asian women differ from non-Asians with respect to genetic background, disease presentation, and especially, socio-cultural environment. However, most clinical practices have been sourced from the studies in western patients. In addition, a large proportion of global burden of gynecologic cancer still remains across the Asian area. According to the GLOBOCAN 2002, 44.9% of cancer cases occurred and 49.9% of cancer deaths were observed in Asia.2 For example, with 493,100 new cases per year, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, and the cause of 273,449 cancer deaths in the world. Among them, 265,744 new cases and 142,679 cancer mortalities were observed in Asia.3 Epidemiologic and gyneco-oncologic reports from Japan, Korea, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand also have demonstrated the considerable burden of gynecologic cancers in their own countries.4-10 However, there is an increasing number of women suffering from cancer, because under-ascertainment of elderly cases is well-known, especially in developing countries.11

Because of these reasons and needs, the Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology plays an essential role in understanding, investigating, and resolving regional health problems like other regional societies such as the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) and the European Society of Gynecologic Oncology (ESGO).

At the present time, ASGO has just been initiated with the passionate collaboration and warm friendship between all Asian countries (Fig. 1). We are all convinced that ASGO should be act as a central platform for embarking on the long voyage for the improvement of Asian women's health. I believe in the words of 'Who wills, can. Who tries, does. Who loves, lives'. This is the time of care and love for the healthy growing of ASGO.