Ovarian Cancer Australia

Thanks to the support of Dry July, Ovarian Cancer Australia has continued to provide free, specialist support to women and families affected by ovarian cancer.

Over the last year, OCA’s national helpline received more than 1,050 calls from women and families seeking information, emotional support and guidance. We delivered 587 free specialist psychology and counselling sessions.

This support is meeting real and urgent need. People reach out for help for many reasons including adjusting to a diagnosis or recurrence, managing anxiety, sleep difficulties and fatigue, and coping with fear of cancer returning and uncertainty about the future.

Women tell us the emotional impact of ovarian cancer can be just as challenging as the physical effects, and that this need often continues well beyond treatment.

One participant in our counselling service shared:

“The OCA psychology sessions helped me through a very difficult time after treatment. Having access to a practitioner who truly understands the specific challenges of ovarian cancer has been invaluable. After time away from work, private psychology was something I couldn’t afford, so having access to this support made a huge difference.”

Importantly, this support is free and delivered via telehealth, making it accessible to women wherever they live, including those in regional and remote areas or those unable to travel due to treatment or fatigue.

OCA continues to work closely with women, families and clinicians to ensure services respond to real needs. This leads to more targeted support, including specialist programs focused on sleep and managing the ongoing impacts of cancer.

Thank you for fundraising with Dry July and making this support possible. Your support is helping ensure no woman walks alone.

The psychology and counselling support programs are going well, with participants reporting improved coping and increased strategies to manage psychological and emotional distress. Below is some feedback provided from people who received psychology or counselling support last year:

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge for Ovarian Cancer Australia this year.

We are pleased to announce that with your help we raised an astounding $208,746 towards evidence-based support programs for women living with ovarian cancer. We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

Your fundraising for Dry July has enabled Ovarian Cancer Australia’s counselling and psychology team to support women to access a suite of free specialist clinics and evidence-based programs targeting sexuality, grief and bereavement, fear of cancer recurrence, and sleep and fatigue.

On behalf of all the women we support and staff at Ovarian Cancer Australia, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

Together, we will ensure that no one with ovarian cancer walks alone.

Victoria's personal journey with ovarian cancer began in May 2020 when, at 59 years old, she was confronted with the diagnosis of stage 3C high-grade serous ovarian cancer. This initiated a tumultuous period characterised by major debulking surgery and weekly chemotherapy sessions over seven months.

Before her diagnosis, Victoria experienced subtle symptoms like back pain and changes in bowel & bladder habits. It took approximately eight months of consultations with medical professionals before she received a definitive answer.

After some mild pelvic pain, her doctor sent her for a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound that found a large tumour on her right ovary. After a PET scan, laparoscopy, and biopsies, it was confirmed that the cancer had spread to her peritoneal cavity and lymph nodes.

As a nurse and nursing lecturer, Victoria has dedicated most of her career to educating and empowering future healthcare professionals. Ironically, despite her proximity to ovarian cancer patients and her knowledge of two colleagues who had passed away due to the disease, the symptoms didn't trigger alarm bells until in hindsight.

Her diagnosis thrust Victoria into the dual roles of caregiver and patient, but she drew strength from her close-knit family – married with three children and six grandchildren. Alongside her colleagues who shaved their heads to raise funds, they provided support as she confronted the uncertainties of her condition with determination.

Despite her extensive healthcare background, Victoria was initially unaware of the organisations available to her, such as Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA), until she chanced upon them through social media. Through these channels, she discovered invaluable resources and support, including the compassionate guidance of ovarian cancer nurse consultants like Fi.

"Fi was amazing – I can't praise the service enough. It was the right amount of support at the right time, and even though I've been in remission for some time, she still checks in every 6 weeks or so," Victoria expressed gratefully, acknowledging the vital role Ovarian Cancer Australia played during a dark time.

Residing in a regional area of East Ballina posed challenges for Victoria, from enduring a 1.5-hour commute to the nearest hospital to having limited access to psychological services. With the assistance of OCA’s Psychosocial support services and dedicated professionals like Clinical Psychologist, Dr Lauren Williams, she overcame these hurdles and emerged more resilient than ever before.

Victoria's experience was marked by physical trials, including balance problems initially and ongoing peripheral neuropathy & fear of recurrence. Nevertheless, her personal journey fueled her advocacy for ovarian cancer awareness. "Every step of this journey has taught me something new," Victoria reflected, stressing the importance of advocating for enhanced care and support for ovarian cancer patients.

Through her role as Regional Coordinator & Presenter for ANZGOG’s “Survivors Teaching Students” and community ambassador for OCA, Victoria champions patient-centered care, amplifying the voices of those affected by ovarian cancer. “I now have a broader awareness of what people need and use this to educate others, emphasising the importance of empathy and viewing patients as whole individuals.”

Now at the age of 63, Victoria remains hopeful that increased awareness will change the ovarian cancer narrative as she uses her voice to advocate within our community. With resilience and determination, she refuses to let cancer define her, embracing each day with fortitude.

Andrea was just 51 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.

“It was a huge shock. The day after my diagnosis I had to ring my doctor’s office so I could double check that the results were accurate, I was just that incredulous,” said Andrea.

Prior to her diagnosis, Andrea was undergoing emergency surgery for a hernia that was blocking her bowel. After the surgery, Andrea noticed a lump protruding from her stomach, which, three months later, had not improved.

To investigate further, Andrea was sent for a CA125 test — a blood test that looks for a protein that can be produced by ovarian cancer cells. The results showed elevated levels of the cancer-causing protein which encouraged her treatment team to investigate further. Following surgery and a biopsy of the lump, the doctor confirmed that Andrea had ovarian cancer.

“At the time I wasn’t aware of any symptoms I was experiencing. I now know, looking back, the indigestion and bloating I was facing were both early signs. I just never thought these minor symptoms meant that I could have stage 4 cancer. I knew nothing about ovarian cancer up until this point,” said Andrea.

After her diagnosis in November 2019, Andrea had to wait an excruciating two months before treatment.

“The wait really did my head in. I kept thinking about this thing growing inside me and I needed to get it out. Because my tumour was so big, my treatment team decided I needed to undergo chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumour,” said Andrea.

Andrea said despite knowing that she was awaiting treatment for stage 4 ovarian cancer, she tried to continue with her life as best she could.

“Initially, I kept going to work. My GP asked me ‘how are you doing it?’ and I told her that if I stayed at home I would have fallen in a heap. I didn’t have a choice. I just needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other so that I could stay upright,” Andrea said.

Following multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Andrea underwent a hysterectomy, including the removal of both her ovaries and some lymph nodes.

“Despite feeling really fatigued after surgery, I also immediately felt intense relief. I just thought, that’s it, the tumour is out, and I can get on with things. But that’s not always how things work out with ovarian cancer,” said Andrea

Following the surgery and while undergoing a second round of chemotherapy, Andrea began to experience an extreme pain in her shins. After some investigation, Andrea’s medical team told her the cause of her pain was blood clots, which needed further treatment.

Through a search on Google, Andrea came across Ovarian Cancer Australia, where she was put in touch with her own specialist ovarian cancer nurse, Rosetta.

“Rosetta is so knowledgeable and able to answer all and any questions I have, putting me at ease. It’s almost like she’s my sister.

“I don’t think I could do this without Rosetta. Friends and family can’t give you the kind of support she does. Rosetta is definitely made for this job,” said Andrea.

For Andrea, the thought of her three children, aged 15, 20 and 34, have motivated her to keep going.

“Having ovarian cancer is a series of setbacks. Every time you think you’re over the hill, there’s something else that happens.

“I can’t work anymore. I generally stick inside my four walls at home. The only time I go out is to see my father in aged care. I try every other weekend to catch up with my girlfriends, but fatigue often holds me back,” said Andrea.

Andrea said her message for people affected by ovarian cancer is to know that support is available.

“Despite what I’m going through, mentally I’m okay. I’ve actually surprised myself at how strong I’ve been, and Ovarian Cancer Australia have played a big role in that.

“There are resources out there to help you get through. Try and stay positive. Just get up in the morning and keep going,” said Andrea.