Ovarian Cancer Killed My Mum
The tragic toll of cancer is close to home for WomenCan’s Karen Livingstone, who says better outcomes for sufferers will come with more research.
For Karen Livingstone, a fundraiser for cancer research, her work is personal. She watched her own mother die of ovarian cancer which was diagnosed too late.
“Mum was presenting to the GP with bloating and hardness, and she felt sick, and she kept being told to eat more fibre. She went back three or four times. The last time said she couldn’t eat any more fibre, so they sent her to have a scan. Mum was found to have stage-three ovarian cancer and she survived for two years and 10 months.”
Livingstone, whose aunt also died from ovarian cancer, spearheads WomenCan, an organisation that raises funds for research into gynaecological cancers. She is particularly passionate about ovarian cancer, a devastating disease with a low survival rate and a notoriously difficult diagnosis.
“We know 1500 Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year and 1000 will not survive for five years. The survival rate is only 46 per cent,” says Livingstone, who is WomenCan’s head of fundraising and development.
The non-profit supports Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), the peak research body for gynaecological cancers, including ovarian, uterine, cervical, vulvar, vaginal and two rare placental cancers.
Even women who are conscientious about having regular Pap smears may not realise that this test only screens for cervical cancer. “There’s a huge misconception among women that this test covers them for all gynaecological cancers.”
The fact that there is no detection test for ovarian cancer is one issue. A lack of awareness of the disease itself is another. “I have met hundreds of women who have had ovarian cancer and most had no idea of what ovarian cancer was,” Livingstone says.
According to women’s health organisation Jean Hailes, the symptoms of ovarian cancer can include bloating, frequent urination (with no infection), back pain, heartburn, pain during intercourse and unexplained bleeding.
““I have met hundreds of women who have had ovarian cancer and most had no idea of what ovarian cancer was.””
Beyond raising awareness, research funding is vital to improve survival rates. Livingstone points to the improved survival rates for breast cancer as an example.
“Breast cancer now has a 91 per cent survival rate for five years. They’ve undertaken a lot of research and there’s been a lot of advocacy to ensure that the survival rate for breast cancer can be improved.
“It’s a significant difference between 46 per cent for ovarian cancer and 91 per cent for breast cancer. We want to improve survival for women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.”
September is International Gynaecological Cancer Awareness month and WomenCan has launched Honour Her, an online art auction offering limited-edition works by acclaimed artists with 50 per cent of proceeds funding research targets. This unique event features work by artists whose lives have been touched by cancer, and is running until Monday September 27.
Currently, researchers are focusing on the five sub-types of the disease and tailored treatments for each type. In the past, Livingstone explains, it’s been a one size-fits-all type of treatment.
“We now know that is not the most effective way to treat the cancer. We need to understand what type of ovarian cancer a woman is diagnosed with because it’s important for treatment – to know which chemo responds to each of the sub types. We believe once we match the sub types with the appropriate chemo, survival rates will improve.”
Livingstone is doing what she can to protect her own health. Nine months after her mother passed away, she discovered that she carries the BRCA2 gene, one of the two genes that have been identified for breast and ovarian cancer.
“We found three other family members, including myself, also had the BRCA 2 gene. I've had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed and feel like I am pretty lucky because it's changed my future.
“Knowledge is power. People say to me, ‘Why would you want to find out?’ but it’s good to have choices.”
To view the art works being offered in WomenCan’s online auction go to Honour Her to place a bid.