Your Stories
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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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Florence Wilks
Florence was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2010 and has undergone several rounds of gruelling chemotherapy and extensive surgery over the past eight years. She reflects on the moments that have been stolen from her, as well as the importance of finding joy, even in the hardest times.
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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 Gray was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 ovarian cancer in Summer 2016. Now nine months post-chemo and still NED, (no evidence of disease), she hopes that sharing her story will give hope to other women who have just been diagnosed or are about to start their chemo or have surgery.
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Personal experiences
28 September 2017
Sara Le-Surf: "The symptoms feel minor and before having it I’d never really heard of ovarian cancer."
Like many women, Sara put caring for others above her own health concerns and it didn't occur to her that her abdominal pain could be a sign of cancer
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Personal experiences
27 September 2017
Madeleine Hudson: "Eight litres of fluid were drained from my stomach"
Madeleine Hudson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier this year. It took a long time for her to realise that her aches, pains and rapid weight gain couldn't simply be attributed to her age or diet...
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Personal experiences
19 September 2017
Janet Tindall: "I don’t know if being on the clinical trial made a difference or not but I certainly had very good results"
Janet was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015, aged 68 and participated in an Avastin trial. She reflects on the challenges of treatment and her journey so far.
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Personal experiences
19 September 2017
Debbie Sharp: "It was harder for my husband and close family – I think it always is"
Always determined to make the best of any situation, Debbie hopes that by sharing her ovarian cancer journey, from diagnosis through to treatment and surgery, will not only help other women in similar situations but also raise awareness of the symptoms.
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Personal experiences
15 September 2017
Helen Hogg: "I was continually told that it was just the menopause"
Helen was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, aged 47. This month, 10 years after her diagnosis, she will trek part of the Great Wall of China in aid of Ovarian Cancer Action.
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BRCA & Lynch Syndrome
21 August 2017
Sam Schinkel
After Sam's father was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2013 and tested positively for the BRCA gene mutation, Sam and her brother also decided to get tested.
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Personal experiences
16 August 2017
Paula Cann: "I’m so grateful that I went to my GP as soon as I noticed something wasn’t right"
Paula Cann was experiencing the classic symptoms of ovarian cancer but she was diagnosed with a cyst that was only removed due to its size. Two weeks later she discovered that the cyst was cancerous and that she needed chemotherapy...
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Laura Roberts: "I still find that most people are surprised I got the genetic mutation from my dad"
Laura Roberts is 39 and has a BRCA1 mutation. She found out she was BRCA1+ about 14 years ago when she was tested for the gene at the Royal Marsden hospital in London.
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30 June 2017
Caroline Raphael: " I assumed that it was irritable bowel syndrome, and so did my doctor"
Caroline went to the doctor after she started having stomach cramps. Fortunately she was referred quickly, meaning her ovarian cancer was caught at an early stage. She shares her story in the hope of encouraging other women to act on unusual symptoms quickly.
