Your Stories
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Personal experiences
15 April 2019
Diane Evans-Wood: "Once you accept your new kind of normal, life can resume and you can still have fun."
Diane Evans-Wood was working as a Palliative Care Nurse Specialist when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013. She shares her story — from the early symptoms through to diagnosis and treatment.
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Fiona Munro: "I want to raise awareness that young women are also at risk of ovarian cancer"
Fiona was with diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in February 2016 at the age of 30. She has since devoted her energy to helping other young women with ovarian cancer, and has even written a book about her journey.
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Personal experiences
20 March 2019
Claudia Gore: "We need to look after our minds too"
Claudia Gore, 47, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago. She shares the story of her early symptoms, her diagnosis and treatment. Claudia also describes the impact of her ovarian cancer experience on her mental health and why sessions with a psychologist helped so much.
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Younger women with ovarian cancer
15 March 2019
Jess Brown: "Treatment needed to be aggressive and to happen quickly"
Jess Brown is 26, a mum, and an ovarian cancer survivor navigating surgical menopause. Jess feels lucky her ovarian cancer was diagnosed early and is organising a Walk In Her Name to raise money for ovarian cancer research this March.
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Personal experiences
18 February 2019
Nicola Butler: "I didn't want to worry them so I kept the chance it could be cancer to myself"
Nicola was 46 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 1c epithelial germ ovarian cancer. Now a year cancer free, she reflects on the importance of listening to your body.
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Louise Mitchell: "Cancer has taken a lot from me, but it’s left me with a totally new perspective on life"
Louise was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after a pregnancy scan detected a mass on one of her ovaries. Now two years on from her diagnosis, she has thrown herself back into fitness and is determined to find the positives in her experience.
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Gift Hamisi: "Educate yourself on your family history and learn to listen to your body"
Five years after losing her mother to ovarian cancer, Gift was shocked to learn that her grandmother had also been diagnosed with the disease. Gift is currently awaiting the results of her BRCA test and wants to use her voice to encourage other women to understand their family history and the prevention options available to them.
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Suzie Aries: "Now, my main focus is to make sure that every day is a good one"
Suzie Aries was diagnosed with Stage 3/4 ovarian cancer, aged 25. She shares her story and explains why research into early detection is so important.
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16 August 2018
Lesley Torun
Lesley was diagnosed with stage 1b ovarian cancer last year. She shares her experience so far.
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Loved ones
16 July 2018
Alan Roberts
Alan Roberts pays tribute to his beloved wife, Carys, who lost her life to ovarian cancer in March this year. A hugely talented artist, the sale of Carys's artwork has left an incredible legacy, helping to raise £25,000 for a number of cancer charities.
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BRCA & Lynch Syndrome
27 June 2018
Natasha Cantor
Natasha has Lynch Syndrome, a genetic mutation which is linked to an increased risk of a number of different cancers. She tells us about her own family history, and why knowing her genetic status has allowed her to feel more in control.
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Rachel Firmin
Rachel pushed for genetic testing after losing her mum to breast cancer and discovered that she was BRCA2+. She shares her story.
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Loved ones
20 March 2018
Rob Dawson
Rob wrote the following blog post in July last year, three days before he lost his mum, Carole, to ovarian cancer. While her loss has been devastating, Rob has tried to channel his energy into fundraising for our research projects, paying tribute to the amazing woman who always supported him and let him be himself.
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Bev Poulton
Bev, from Porthcawl, Wales, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009. She tells us about her diagnosis, treatment and the importance of taking one day at a time
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BRCA & Lynch Syndrome
26 February 2018
Jo Stanford: "My risk of breast cancer has gone down from 87% to under 5%"
OCA Cancer Prevention Officer Jo is our resident expert on all BRCA-related issues. She shares the pain of losing her beloved Mum to ovarian cancer and how genetic testing has enabled her to take control of her own future.
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Loved ones
01 February 2018
Darren Halmshaw
Darren lost his wife, Pamela, in October 2016 after a ten-year fight with ovarian cancer. He shares his story.
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BRCA & Lynch Syndrome
23 January 2018
Katie Mumford: "I think about my risk of ovarian cancer, and the lack of screening available, every single day"
When Katie discovered she was BRCA2 positive, she knew immediately that she wanted to have preventative breast surgery to reduce her risk of breast cancer. However, the decision about when to remove her ovaries and the implications of doing so is proving to be more emotionally complex.
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Personal experiences
08 December 2017
Maureen Powell: "I want to make the most of life and don’t want to miss out on all the wonderful experiences that it brings us"
Maureen was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer last year, aged 50. It has not been an easy journey but after taking part in a clinical trial, she is now in remission and intends to make the most of life.
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Jo Blankley: "When I look back to that time, I realise how easy it would have been to have ignored my symptoms"
Jo Blankley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer aged 29. Eight years on from her diagnosis, she shares her story to encourage other women to listen to their bodies and to act on anything that doesn't feel right...
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Personal experiences
08 November 2017
Kim Gray: "Cancer is not just a physical disease, but also a mental one"
Kim is now two and a half years NED (no evidence of disease) since finishing chemo and hopes her story will provide support and encouragement for other women who have just been diagnosed, or who are going through treatment.
