Give Her Time: Challenging assumptions about people living with ovarian cancer
A new campaign has been launched by Ovacome and Ovarian Cancer Action
Last updated 3rd Jun 2021
Two charities, Ovacome and Ovarian Cancer Action, have launched a new campaign called 'Give Her Time', which calls on the public, and those involved in the care of those living with advanced ovarian cancer, to challenge assumptions they may have about what those diagnosed want.
It suggests that around 1 in 5 (18%) reported becoming more isolated or distant from friends and family because of their diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer, with some noting a lack of understanding of living with cancer as a factor.
"You realise many people live with cancer and live a really good life, you just have to pick yourself back up and think positive."
Dinah Lewis, from Wakefield said:
“Back in 2017, I was a 55-year-old-primary teacher with three grown up children. I loved running and led a busy life. I had noticed I had had some discharge for a few months and eventually went to the doctor. After three months of lots of different antibiotics to treat a suspected infection, I had a blood test.”
“I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and my surgery was booked for the following month. I had been due to have chemotherapy six weeks after the operation, but I was too ill to have it so again, my treatment was delayed. Then two months later my cancer had returned.”
"There are options out there, at the time I was hoping for the cancer to be treated, but unfortunately that wasn't the case, but then you realise many people live with cancer and live a really good life, you just have to pick yourself back up and think positive.
"It's kind of not knowing if the treatment is going to work, and you just have to get used to living like that. I'm on a drug at the moment that's hopefully keeping my tumour stable, but I've no idea how long it's going to work, but I think you just get to that point, you go through such a journey, that mentally you just have to accept, I'm living with cancer."