It’s time to speak up about ovarian cancer

Over the past two decades there have been significant improvements in outcomes for women with many cancers, and particularly breast cancer. These developments have been powered by the huge breast cancer lobby which has resulted in an avalanche of research funds at basic science, clinical and psycho-social levels. For ovarian cancer, however, there have been few breakthroughs in research and very little improvement in treatment and outcomes.

Brunswick resident Judith Louise is determined to change all this.

“I was diagnosed last year with advanced ovarian cancer, despite the fact that I had been tested for 25 years. There is still no effective screening test for early or precancerous stages of ovarian cancer, and once it is detected, it often too late.

“There is also a lot more research on the causes and risk factors for ovarian cancer that needs to be done. My mother and my aunt had ovarian cancer. Although familial genetic testing has not yet found me to have a familial type, it cannot be excluded. There have also been some studies which have shown a link to environmental factors like contact with asbestos but more research has to be done.

“I’ve come forward to inform women about ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer used to be called a silent disease because the symptoms are vague and common and often confused by women and GPs with other conditions. But we now know that the persistence of unusual symptoms like bloating, pelvic pain and always feeling full are indicators of ovarian cancer and need to be checked out by a specialist gyneacological oncologist.

“Finally it was my insistence that my symptoms were real that led to an immediate diagnosis and treatment. Too late for me maybe, but not for others. To raise awareness, we have started a group called ova2you. It is running “OVarian–IMPORTANT–CAmpaign” calling for more resources and funding for this terrible disease.

“We are calling for funding for at least two nurse researchers to assist with clinical trials at the Royal Women’s Hospital. This public hospital was built by women, for women. We also urgently need a national database to provide reliable information about ovarian cancer diagnoses and deaths.

“We need you to be involved with our community education campaign.

You can sign our on-line petition on the Ova2you website at myovariancancersumptons.org or contact us on Ova2you@gmail.com. Please SPEAK UP and help yourself.”