Ovarian Cancer – the silent killer

Ovarian Cancer the silent killer – It could be your Mother, Wife, Sister, Friend or even your Daughter!

In Australia one woman dies every 8 hours of ovarian cancer.

This has moved up from one woman every 10 hours! Ovarian cancer is the Leading cause of death of all gynaecological cancers. It is an insidious disease that often strikes without warning.

What are the symptoms?

Most women who experience one or two of the listed early symptoms do not have cancer. However, you should seek medical advice if the symptoms persist.

The most commonly reported symptoms for ovarian cancer are

  • Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating

  • Abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain

  • Feeling full after eating a small amount

  • Needing to urinate often or urgently

  • Additional Symptoms may include

  • Changes in bowel habits

  • Unexplained weight gain or loss

  • Excessive fatigue

  • Lower back pain

  • Indigestion or nausea

  • Bleeding after menopause or in- between periods

  • Pain during sex or bleeding after

There is no early detection test.

The pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer. The key to changing this statistic and improving long term outcomes is a simple and effective screening test. With no early screening test most, women are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease. The vague symptoms have been present often up to 2 years prior to diagnose.

How do we change this?

The single most important factor that would improve survival of women affected by ovarian cancer is the development of an early detection test. The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, (OCRF) supports research into better treatment and the development of an early detection test. Their aim is for EVERY WOMAN, EVERYWHERE to be FREE FROM THE THREAT OF OVARIAN CANCER.

It could be your Mother, Wife, Sister, Friend or even your Daughter!

Well it was my Sister in law first, then it was my daughter, both died within 18 months of one another of this insidious disease. My daughter Letitia Linke and my sister in law Rose Denton both worked tirelessly through their illness to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds for research to find an early detection test.

Adelaide Silver Style

This Adelaide Silver Style and was founded by my daughter the Late Letitia Linke who was a community Ambassador for the OCRF and Ovarian Cancer Australia. During this time, she took part in many forums for research, media promotions and interviews, all while undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other medical treatment for this disease. Letitia was passionate about raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of this insidious disease and supporting research to find an early detection test. Throughout her illness, Letitia talked openly about research into an early detection program.

Her biggest fundraising undertaking was the Adelaide Silver Style event first held in October 2016. The Adelaide Silver Style Cocktail Party was an evening of quality food, wine and entertainment, raising in excess of $75,000 in support of the OCRF. This was followed up in 2017 with the Adelaide Silver Style Lunch. Letitia was one of the faces of the Witchery White Shirt Campaign in 2018, however she lost her battle with ovarian cancer in August 2018. Her sister, Letitia’s Chemo Buddies, some friends and I have continued to run the annual Adelaide Silver Style event in her memory.

You can make a difference

This year’s event will take place on Saturday the 26th October 2019 at “The Ellington” an elegant Art Deco function centre in Adelaide. It will be a dinner dance with 3 course meal by “Epicure”, music and entertainment with “The Sizzle” and a cameo spot by “Amity Dry”. The MC for the evening will be local identity “Cosi” – of South Aussie with Cosi fame. We aim to attract 300 people and raise $30,000 for the OCRF.

You don’t need to be a scientist to make a difference!

Join us for a night of fine food, wine and entertainment to raise funds for the OCRF.

You can find out more about us on https://adelaidesilverstyle.com/, find us on Facebook and Instagram and buy tickets on https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=496928&

Madelyn Duckmanton- Mother of Letitia Linke and Convenor or the Adelaide Silver Style.

Letter to the EditorEmmanuelle HarringtonAugust 2019