PIMS Mackay office held a Women’s Cancer awareness morning tea, 13th April 2022 to educate ourselves, raise awareness to all the women in our lives and help those affected by these diseases.
We were joined by guest speakers Jacqui Camilleri and Bridgeen Dolherty from The Trudy Crowley Foundation, based in Mackay. Jacquie spoke about the work the foundation does for people who suffer directly and indirectly from ovarian cancer. Their team creates awareness in the community, provides women with support and connects them with useful companies and tools to assist their journey with cancer. The second guest speaker, the phenomenal Bridgeen was relatable, full of surprising information and inspiring, as she walks the journey of ovarian cancer. Everyone from PIMS give our support and blessings to kick this cancer’s butt again!
Being our first interstate philanthropic event, we had 28 attendees who made it either in our Mackay Head Office, onsite in NSW Appin or via Zoom.
It was fantastic to hear that the speakers and important information was absorbed and actioned, as some women attendees said they took Bridgeen’s advice and booked in for a check up right away but also annually around their birthday, “As a present to yourself, to look after yourself”.
Our attendees not only consisted of PIMS mine workers and office staff, we also had two breast cancer survivors, a mother of a PIMS staff member who is currently going through ovarian cancer treatment and another PIMS staff member attend in honour of his mother and sister-in-law currently going through treatment for breast cancer. All amazingly strong and positive women. Hearing these women’s stories were an encouragement to share with all the females in our lives in the hope to prevent these cancers.
Signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague and similar to other medical conditions. It’s important to see a GP if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are unusual for you or persistent.
- Urinary changes, such as frequency or urgency
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipations, diarrhoea, flatulence
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Unexplained fatigue / tiredness
- Abdominal, pelvic (lower tummy) or low back pain or pressure
- Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
- Appetite loss, feeling full quickly or indigestion (different to normal)
- Pain during intercourse
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
We strongly urge you, if you have any of these symptoms to visit your GP and insist that you have a pelvic and abdominal Ultrasound and a CA 125 blood test.
This disease does not discriminate, age is no barrier. In Mackay alone, there have been recent cases of a 9 year old girl and an 83 year old women.
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5-year relative survival rates for ovarian (or fallopian tube) cancer
These numbers are based on people diagnosed with cancers of the ovary (or fallopian tube) between 2011 and 2017. These survival rates differ based on the type of ovarian cancer (invasive epithelial, stromal, or germ cell tumor).
- Localized: There is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the ovaries.
- Regional: The cancer has spread outside the ovaries to nearby structures or lymph nodes.
- Distant: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.
Invasive epithelial ovarian cancer
| SEER stage | 5-year relative survival rate |
| Localized | 93% |
| Regional | 75% |
| Distant | 31% |
| All SEER stages combined | 49% |
Ovarian stromal tumors
| SEER stage | 5-year relative survival rate |
| Localized | 97% |
| Regional | 90% |
| Distant | 70% |
| All SEER stages combined | 90% |
Germ cell tumors of the ovary
| SEER stage | 5-year relative survival rate |
| Localized | 98% |
| Regional | 94% |
| Distant | 74% |
| All SEER stages combined | 93% |
Fallopian tube cancer
| SEER stage | 5-year relative survival rate |
| Localized | 95% |
| Regional | 54% |
| Distant | 44% |
| All SEER stages combined | 56% |
*Statistics sourced from the Cancer Council website: Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates | Ovarian Cancer Prognosis
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If you ever need their help or support please get in touch by clicking the links below.
Trudy Crowley Foundation
https://www.trudycrowleyfoundation.com.au/
Supporting, connecting and informing people suffering directly and indirectly from ovarian cancer. It’s a lonely process without them!
Cancer Council NSW PIMS Fundraiser
https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/…/pims-women–s…
This foundation focuses on research and providing information on all types of cancer.
Donations are always welcome to either of these amazing organisations.
