JANE Dobson knew nothing really about ovarian cancer until it was too late. Her sister Mary went through “hell” before she died, three months after diagnosis. Mary was 76.
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Ms Dobson has four daughters, two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. Ovarian cancer signs and symptoms are always running in the back of her mind and, while it may seem scary, Ms Dobson said it was important to be aware.
This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Ms Dobson urged all women to become more aware of their bodies and the seemingly subtle changes.
“Until then, (Mary) had never been sick, she had a lovely family and was enjoying life,” Ms Dobson said. “I have a lot of women in my family, so we are really interested in research and getting a cure.”
Every two years, Ms Dobson hosts Mary’s Happy Hour, a toast to her sister in the spirit that every little bit can help.
Ballarat MP and federal opposition health spokesperson Catherine King reiterated Labor’s $12 million pledge to enact Ovarian Cancer Australia’s national action plan.
For Ms King, the mission is also personal.
“A friend of mine Betty died of ovarian cancer some years ago now and she called me in to see her up at St John’s (Hospital) to talk to me. She didn’t call me in to say farewells, we’d already done all that, she wanted to say if you ever become health minister, I should invest in ovarian cancer and raise awareness,” Ms King said.
“Hopefully if I ever do get to become federal health minister, then in the commitment Labor’s made, I honour her trust in me.”
Ms King hosted her annual Morning Teal on Wednesday with members of Ballarat’s ovarian cancer support group and Giving Gold for Lou fundraising group.
All agree ovarian cancer needs a stronger teal spotlight.
Ms King said there was a lot of time and effort in improving the survival rate of people with other cancers, which was important, but ovarian cancer was killing too many women.
Labor’s $12 pledge will spark the creation of a national ovarian cancer registry to tracking diagnosis and treatment of every woman with ovarian cancer in the country and giving researchers access to a database of clinical information. It will also develop the tissue bank for research into prevention and treatment, allow three new trials, and promote genetic testing for the BRCA gene mutation.
“We want people to make themselves aware of the symptoms and go and get yourself checked out. If you’re not sure, go and talk to your GP,” Ms King said. “...But we also want to see more research. We need to actually get the survival rates for this cancer improved.”
Meanwhile, Giving Gold for Lou has donated $36,000 towards ovarian cancer research at the Royal Women’s Hospital. Use of the fund will be directed by Professor Orla McNally, who was Lou Quinn’s oncologist during her journey with ovarian cancer.
