Angela puts in the miles for cancer awareness

Mooloolaba local Angela Davie recently completed her trek across New Zealand in support of Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation.

The foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness and funding for research into gynaecological cancers.

It seeks to ensure every woman  is aware of the most common signs  and symptoms.

The foundation has raised more than $4.2million for research projects since its inception in 2012.

The Cherish Challenge in October saw a team of fundraisers take on  New Zealand to raise further awareness and funds.

Angela, 64, a three-times-qualified world triathlete, was among those who made a huge effort to help the foundation. The cause is very close to her heart and she did the trek with her daughter – an oncologist at Royal Women’s Hospital.

Her coast-to-coast challenge included trekking, three days of cycling and rafting and was completed to highlight September as Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.

The annual campaign aims to raise awareness of the signs and common symptoms to look out for within this group of cancers which includes vulvar, vaginal, cervical, uterine, fallopian tube and ovarian. These cancers affect the tissue and organs of the female reproductive system.

Each year, more than 6700 Australian women and girls are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.

Additionally, while cervical cancer is the most preventable gynaecological cancer, thanks to the national cervical screening program, many of these cancer types are often not detected until they have spread, making them more difficult to treat.

“We need to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of gynaecological cancers so that women can get screened and diagnosed early,” says Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation founder, Professor Andreas Obermair.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• abnormal or persistent vaginal bleeding – for example, bleeding after menopause, bleeding that is not part of menstrual periods, or bleeding after sex
• unusual vaginal discharge
• pain, pressure or discomfort in the abdomen
• unexplained weight loss
• swelling of the abdomen
• change in bowel or bladder habits
• pain during sex
• itching, burning or soreness in the pelvic region
• lumps, sores or wart-like growths on the vulva.

“Early detection and treatment are essential for improving outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers,” Professor Obermair says.

“Please talk to your doctor about your risk of developing these cancers and how you can reduce your risk.”

 Visit cherish.org.au