Why this woman looks for the "life is good" moment every day
- Written by Georgia Chan
Brisbane woman Wanda Lawson is a survivor. A long-term survivor of ovarian cancer, and a survivor of an incredible blow life dealt her.
A little more than 18 years ago Wanda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the deadliest of all women's cancers. The overall survival rate of 49 percent of those diagnosed with this type of cancer is five years.
But Wanda (pictured) is what the ovarian cancer research community calls a ‘super responder' - one of the lucky ones who defied all the odds.
"I never wondered why me, because – why not me?", she says. "I look for the life is good moment every day. They don’t all have to be big wow times and sometimes you have to work a bit to find one. But they make a difference.”
Wanda decided to speak publicly to support the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) Honour Her campaign. The campaign – run through ANZGOG's Women Can initiative – provides an opportunity for people to honour every “her” in their lives, particularly those who have been affected by any of the seven gynaecological cancers.
A key element of this campaign is the Bid, Buy Art exhibition and sale through Honour Her’s virtual gallery and online auction, which ends this Sunday. It features both emerging and leading artists, which aims to raise awareness and vital funds for research.
“I want women of the future, like my nieces, to potentially be able to face a cancer diagnosis without fear," Wanda said.
She experienced symptoms that are among the most reported by women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“I noticed I was needing to urinate more frequently and had some bloating. I had also lost weight over several months," she said.
“I visited my doctor for a routine pap screen, and they had difficulty getting the sample. She physically examined me and felt a lump. I was very lucky as a pap test doesn’t pick up ovarian cancer.”
Wanda was sent for further investigation with an ultrasound, and it was then she was referred to a gynaecological surgeon, and a radical hysterectomy followed. Her surgeon then delivered the news, stage 2c ovarian cancer.
“I was initially numb, I think. It felt unreal because prior to surgery I didn’t really feel unwell. Then there I was – having major surgery, facing chemotherapy and dealing with a cancer diagnosis. I chose to think about what I could do to help with my own recovery,” Wanda said.
In Australia this year it is expected that 1815 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 1,000 will die from the disease.
One of Australia’s top gynaecological cancer researchers has called for more funding of innovative trials of new therapies, warning that survival rates will not improve without it.
Professor Clare Scott AM, Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group Chair, said funding was so hard to come by that one of the most promising trials for ovarian cancer therapy was still awaiting funding.
“If we don’t push for funding of innovative trials of new therapies, survival rates will not improve,” Professor Clare Scott warned.
To donate or see the auction, go to: www.honourher.org.au
