By Belinda Nolan
Ovarian cancer strikes more than 1200 Australian women each year.
Around 800 of them will die.
These sobering statistics were the subject of a morning tea which was held in East Keilor last week.
Women – and men from across Brimbank and Moonee Valley met at the Keilor East RSL to help raise awareness of the disease as part of Teal Ribbon Day.
The fundraising afternoon tea was organised by Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins and Niddrie MP Rob Hulls.
Keilor Downs resident Patrick Troncoso attended the event in the hopes of providing advice to his wife and three daughters.
Mr Troncoso said his mother-in-law had suffered from ovarian cancer, while he himself had battled bowel cancer.
He said it was important for both men and women to be aware of the symptoms of the vicious disease, which has no early detection test.
“I think men should be just as knowledgeable as women about these diseases,” Mr Troncoso said.
“The symptoms are really easy to miss but if you know your partner and their habits, you might be able to pick up symptoms that they have missed.
“Everyone should know about this because it’s a very scary disease.”
Ms Hutchins said many women led busy lives and often put their own health last.
She said women needed to be aware of the symptoms and see a doctor as soon as they presented.
The four most common symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are abdominal or pelvic pain, increased abdominal size or bloating, urinating often or urgently and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly.
For more information visit the Ovarian Cancer Australia website at www.ovariancancer.net.au.
