the western weekender » Friday, February 17, 2017
Health
Silent killer often found when all hope is lost JADE ALIPRANDI
t’s a cancer that’s hard to find, hard to diagnose, and is often found in its late stages. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women globally, and is responsible for 140,000 deaths each year. Frequently diagnosed when the cancer is already at an advanced stage, women often delay seeking help. This may be because the woman thinks her symptoms are due to ‘the time of the month’, menopause, ‘something I ate’ or confused with other common stomach and digestive complaints. For Cranebrook resident, Sharon Carter, this was exactly the case when her experience began in 2012. “It started with things I didn’t recognise which I just thought was a part of getting older as a woman and the doctors I saw didn’t really pick anything up either,” she said. “Almost two years later, I was really questioning why I was having these symptoms, as well as several new problems.” Mrs Carter had numerous blood tests, middle of the night ambulance trips and multiple ultrasounds.
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She shocked gynaecologists and oncologists who immediately scheduled her for surgery when they found the 22x20x12cm lump in her pelvis, making the brave decision to have a complete hysterectomy via laparotomy. Post-surgery, doctors found an egg-sized cancer within the tumour. “It did feel really uncomfortable – it wasn’t hard and solid, it was more squishy and it was pushing in on my organs,” Mrs Carter said. “I gained a bit of weight but my appetite was gone and I felt really full quickly but my clothes weren’t getting tighter; it wasn’t making any sense.” The hardest part after the recovery was dealing with surgical menopause at 33, Mrs Carter said. “It’s something you don’t expect and you definitely don’t feel ready for at that time of your life,” she said. Mrs Carter said women should get checked regularly, and especially when something isn’t right. “Don’t think doctors are always right,” she said. “Some women don’t understand symptoms with cancers but if you think something isn’t right persist and get some answers. “Listen to you body and if you have slight
Cranebrook resident Sharon Carter. Photo: Megan Dunn changes that aren’t normal for you, get checked out.” February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian Cancer Australia is reminding
local women to know, ask and act if something isn’t right, and to be persistent with doctors. To find out more, visit www.ovariancancer.net.au.
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