A Central Coast mother is amongst four ovarian cancer survivors who have joined forces to warn other women not to dismiss early symptoms of the deadly disease, which are often vague and are easily misdiagnosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The women have partnered with fashion retailer Black Pepper to raise awareness and much needed funds for Ovarian Cancer Australia. They will feature in a new campaign across Black Pepper\u2019s 80 stores, including store windows during February to coincide with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karen, a 56-year-old resident of Avoca Beach, faced an unexpected ovarian cancer diagnosis despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular mammograms. The campaign features her story, emphasizing the importance of recognising and addressing vague symptoms associated with ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt just numbed me when [the doctor] said \u2018I think you\u2019ve got ovarian cancer\u2019\u2026 my sister was with me when I received my results and just cried and cried and cried,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had to try and turn it into a positive\u2026 it\u2019s not a death sentence, it pushes me to live and it\u2019s not going to rob me of the future with my children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ovarian Cancer Australia\u2019s Chief National Ovarian Cancer Advocacy and Support Services, Bridget Bradhurst, says, “Being a lower-incidence cancer that often presents with vague symptoms, those presenting to their GPs are often not considering their symptoms may be attributed to ovarian cancer.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We hope that by raising awareness of the disease and elevating the voices of women impacted by ovarian cancer, we can change the landscape of this disease. For all those diagnosed in the future, we want to improve their experiences and outcomes by providing ongoing access to specialist support services. Additionally, we aim to continue our advocacy efforts to see increased research funding and greater access to effective and affordable treatments.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karen\u2019s personal journey unfolded in November 2020 when a routine ultrasound, initially for menopausal indications, revealed alarming results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A subsequent blood test indicated a remarkably high ca1 125 (cancer marker) level of 29000, prompting immediate consultation with a surgeon and oncologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite facing two recurrences and undergoing three cycles of chemotherapy in the past two years, Karen draws strength from her community\u2019s unwavering support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Genetic testing revealed Karen\u2019s connection to the Bcra1 gene, inherited from her mother\u2019s battle with ovarian cancer 27 years ago. With her two daughters, aged 24 and 27, also testing positive for the gene, Karen embraced advocacy, supported by Black Pepper\u2019s campaign, to raise awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The campaign showcases the four women modelling Black Pepper clothing including two specially designed scarves, a blouse and top, with a portion of sales going to Ovarian Cancer Australia. The partnership, now in its ninth year, aims to raise $100,000 to support women with ovarian cancer, which remains Australia\u2019s deadliest female cancer, claiming the life of one woman every eight hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlack Pepper is so proud to be able to put a spotlight on the much-needed support that OCA provides women who face the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Bringing the campaign to life with women and their stories is very special to our team and to our community of customers,\u201d says Black Pepper General Manager, Rachel Digby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to enter our ninth year in partnership with OCA and do our bit to contribute to a very worthy cause.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scarves will retail for $29.99, top for $79.99 and the blouse for $99.99. Pens and ribbons will also be sold in-store during February which is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. They will be available to shop online via www.blackpepper.com.au<\/a> and in stores nationally during February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Funds raised will go to Ovarian Cancer Australia to assist the nurses who work closely with patients throughout diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ****<\/p>\n\n\n\n About Ovarian Cancer Australia:<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ovarian Cancer Australia is an independent national not-for-profit organisation supporting people impacted by ovarian cancer. Their focus is to provide care and support those affected by ovarian cancer and their families and represent them by leading change. Ovarian Cancer Australia is the only organisation in Australia that provides free access to specialist ovarian cancer nurses to anyone affected by ovarian cancer, no matter where they live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website www.ovariancancer.net.au<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter & Instagram: @ovariancancerOz <\/p>\n\n\n\n Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OvarianCancerAustralia<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ovarian Cancer Survivors featured in the campaign:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Renata, 44 years old from Adelaide, South Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 44-year-old Adelaide local was diagnosed with Stage 3C advanced ovarian cancer in February 2022, two years after experiencing her initial symptoms. The busy single mum received her diagnosis mid- career but remains positive throughout her battle. After enduring major surgery and 6 rounds of chemotherapy, alongside regular weekly doses of exercise medicine, she is in complete remission. However, she is challenged by but is working hard to reduce her fatigue, a late effect of treatment, and is only able to work part time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luisa, 54 years old from Murchison, VIC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luisa was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer in July 2021, 10 months after showing initial symptoms of fatigue, bloating, and hair loss. After informing her GP of a possible growth on her left ovary in May 2021, she requested an ultrasound and x-ray, both which returned as non-urgent. Pushing further for additional testing, she had a CT scan in July, which led to her diagnosis. Luisa\u2019s family and friends and local community provided incredible support throughout her treatment, and her determination to overcome the disease is bulletproof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Narelle, 44 years old from Albury, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to her unusual symptoms of kidney pain, Narelle\u2019s advanced ovarian cancer diagnosis came as a shock in August 2018. After three rounds of chemo and debulking surgery, followed by another three rounds of chemo and a year on a PARP inhibitor drug her cancer was proclaimed \u201cchemo-resistant\u201d, and she was told it was terminal. However, Narelle\u2019s oncologist pushed for her to have surgery, which was approved and later performed by a surgeon who specialises in bowel transplants (as there were no surgeons who specialised in this area), with an ovarian specialist watching on. Radiation therapy followed shortly after. The surgery and radiation were a success and Narelle has returned to teaching part-time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Karen, 56 years old from Central Coast, NSW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2020, mother of three Karen thought she was visiting her doctor for a routine ultrasound and was shocked when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer within that same week. A midwife and child health nurse by trade, Karen has undergone surgery and eighteen rounds of chemo. Despite experiencing two re-occurrences since her initial diagnosis, the nurse remains positive and vows to \u2018live life to the fullest\u2019 every day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Central Coast mother is amongst four ovarian cancer survivors who have joined forces to warn other women not to dismiss early symptoms of the deadly disease, which are often…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"series":[115],"class_list":["post-7479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-events","series-coffee-with-a-coastie"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/The-Unbreakable-Bond.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/feed\/podcast\/coffee-with-a-coastie","embedCode":"Central Coast Mum Battles Ovarian Cancer, Joins Campaign to Raise Awareness<\/a><\/blockquote>