Your Stories
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Personal experiences
12 August 2021
Why ovarian cancer research is so important: Doris' story
Doris’ ovarian cancer diagnosis came as a huge shock, as despite her medical background, she was unaware of the disease. Now she’s sharing her story to help spread awareness of ovarian cancer in the hope that a focus on research will help more women survive the disease.
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Personal experiences
10 August 2021
Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in a pandemic: Fiona's story
70-year-old Fiona Jones was diagnosed with stage 3C high grade epithelial ovarian cancer during the coronavirus pandemic. Now in remission, she shares her experience.
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Remembering cancer campaigner Fi Munro, one year on
On July 7th 2020, we said goodbye to cancer campaigner and award-winning researcher Fi Munro.
Fi was diagnosed with non-genetic stage four ovarian cancer just four years earlier, aged 30, and it changed her life forever. Little did we know then, how much she would go on to change other people’s lives too.
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BRCA and hereditary cancer risks: Jenny's genetic testing journey
When Jenny's aunt was sadly diagnosed with peritoneal cancer she decided to have genetic testing. After discovering her own BCRA 2 gene mutation she started a support group on Facebook for other women who had a hereditary risk.
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Gillian's ovarian cancer journey: diagnosis, treatment, and beyond
Gillian was repeatedly misdiagnosed for 18 months, but she kept persevering until she was finally diagnosed with ovarian cancer aged 33.
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Remembering Anne Giess: International Nurses Day
David lost his lovely wife Anne to ovarian cancer in 2019. Now he’s determined to raise awareness so that both women, and men, will recognise the disease.
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Personal experiences
09 May 2021
Angela Walker: "I'm still going strong 14 years after my last chemotherapy session"
Meet mum-of-three Angela who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003 at the age of 46.
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Kizzie's Step Challenge journey
Just two weeks after she lost her mum to ovarian cancer, Kizzie decided to take part in our Walk In Her Name Step Challenge. Together with friends and family she raised whopping £3,176, reaching the top of our fundraising leader board. Now, she reflects on her experience and what it meant to her to take part.
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Talya: “Genetic testing has allowed me to take control of something I’d previously had no control over."
People of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage are ten times more likely to carry a BRCA gene mutation that heightens a person’s risk of certain cancers, including ovarian. Talya Schneider shares her story in the hope that more Jewish families can stay together, for longer.
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Personal experiences
22 March 2021
Dinah: "Niraparib has given me hope"
Primary school teacher Dinah Lewis shares her experience of ovarian cancer and the maintenance treatment niraparib.
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Carolyn: "More than anything, she was the heart of our family"
Carolyn sadly lost her mum to ovarian cancer 18 months ago. Now she is determined to raise money for the vital research that will create better treatments, earlier detection and methods of prevention. Read her story below.
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DNA Family Secrets: Duri shares her story as part of BBC Two documentary
Duri Mehmet, one of the founding members of our Next Generation Women's Collective, sadly lost her mum to ovarian cancer nine years ago, she then discovered that the disease runs in her family. Duri shared her journey as part of BBC Two documentary called DNA Family Secrets on the 9th March 2021. This is her full story.
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Issy: "My mum is the reason we are fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Action"
Issy lost her mum Lydia two years ago to ovarian cancer. Now she and her family take part in our Walk In Her Name Step Challenge in order to raise money for a screening tool. This is her story.
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Personal experiences
01 March 2021
Pamela: "I’m sharing my experience to help highlight the importance of an early diagnosis and effective treatment"
Pamela Bonati was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018 at the age of 78. She was fast-tracked by her GP for a swift diagnosis and quickly began a combination of surgery and chemo to treat the disease. Find out how Pamela is sharing her story to ensure all women, despite their age, receive the same standard of care.
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"I just thought of my Mum and all those other women fighting ovarian cancer." - Jack
11 year old Jack Carson ran 43 miles during February half term for Ovarian Cancer Action because he wanted to “support women and girls, like my Mum.” He tells us his story.
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Jacqui: "Forewarned is forearmed"
Not long after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Jacqui began to trace her family history which led her to discover she had a BRCA1 gene mutation and a sister she never knew she had.
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Teal warrior: Michelle's story
Mum of two grown up children, Michelle, shares her story of how her cancer diagnosis and family history led to her learning of her genetic risk.
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Suzie shares her story: Ovarian Cancer Action’s BBC Lifeline Appeal
Meet Suzie, and actress and singer who was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive ovarian cancer. She is now trying to get support for immunotherapy treatment, which is not provided on the NHS. Suzie will be sharing her story as part of Ovarian Cancer Action's BBC Lifeline Appeal on 31st January.
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Rosie: "My family has benefited from major discoveries in the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary cancers that were years in the making."
This is Rosie, a 70-year-old retired pharmacist from Hertfordshire, who unknowingly inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation from her mum. Rosie will be shared her story as part of Ovarian Cancer Action's BBC Lifeline Appeal on 31st January.
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Laura shares her story: Ovarian Cancer Action's BBC Lifeline Appeal
Meet Laura, a primary school teacher from North London who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after she was originally misdiagnosed with IBS. Now she shares her story as part of Ovarian Cancer Action's BBC Lifeline Appeal.
