Spreading awareness in my neighborhood

[Irene2020]

Hi all. I pray & hope that you’re all holding on strong . I’d like to start spreading awareness to those around me about Ovarian cancer. Where i am in Nairobi,Kenya, not much is talked about Ovarian cancer. Ever since my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian & endometrial cancer, with no prior symptoms at all, i have really felt a need to share my experience as a caregiver and also sharing whatever information i get/learn from this journey. It is not an easy journey at all. Mom slept one night &woke up with a swollen stomach(ascites) , a shocking diagnosis followed after several tests/scans. Everything happened so so fast & i honestly feel that i need to encourage other women to regularly get checked. I honestly dont know where to start or structure the awareness program, but i believe once i start talking, more pieces will fall in place. . If anyone in here has any reading resources or groups they have or know of , that can help steer to the right direction , please share with me. Your personal input from your experiences are also welcome. For starters, what symptoms did you have that prompted you to see a doctor?

Kind Regards,

Irene

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hello Irene2020

Thank you for your post. I'm sorry to hear that you and your mum have had such a difficult time.

It is important to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and the symptoms. At Ovacome, we use the acronym 'B.E.A.T.' as a way to remember the signs. You can download some of our B.E.A.T. resources from our website at ovacome.org.uk/b-e-a-t to help you with raising awareness.

There is a cancer support organisation in Kenya called Faraja Cancer Support, which is based in Nairobi. You may wish to contact them and ask whether they would be able to help you to raise awareness. You can find more information about them at farajacancersupport.org/

Some members of our community have agreed to share their stories with Ovacome to help others and raise awareness. We post their stories on our website and work with volunteer ovarian cancer survivors on our 'Survivors Teaching Students' and 'Ovacome at Work' programmes. It would be helpful for our forum members to understand how you would like to use any experiences that they choose to share with you.

I hope that you get the help that you need to start raising awareness in your community.

Best wishes

Julia (Ovacome Support Services Officer)

[Irene2020 in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Hi Julia,

Thank you for your response. This is very helpful, I’ll download the resources from Ovacome website & also purpose to contact Faraja Cancer Support. Thank you. Regarding member experiences, the purpose of is to educate & inform. To help answer this question, “having walked in those shoes, what would you advise any lady out there regarding ovarian cancer”?

Once again, thank you Ovacome team for this platform & all the great work you are doing. You are appreciated.

Kind regards

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to Irene2020]

Hi Irene2020

Thank you for your reply and for your kind words.

In terms of educating and informing people about ovarian cancer, it may help forum members to consider your request for their experiences if you could say more about how they will be used. For example, it would be helpful to explain whether their responses will be shared and, if so, where they will appear and who would be able to read them.

If there's anything that we can help with, please get in touch with our Support Service.

Best wishes

Julia

[Lyndy]

Hi Irene2020

Just wanted to wish you well with your mission... such an important thing to do for women everywhere.

Women’s mags, local radio and papers can be a great place to start.

They are often looking for human interest stories. Maybe recruit other people with experience of OC too as it can be daunting if you are doing it alone xx

[SUE7777]

Hi Irene, unfortunately I was the same as your Mum no idea there was a problem until 11 litres of liquid on my abdomen last October. Your Mum is lucky she has you to take care of her. God bless and take care. I was in Kenya on a yoga trip when mine kicked off. Sue xx

[thomas62]

Hi Irene2020,

Just to wish you the very best of luck in your mission to highlight Ovarian Cancer.

Gwen x

[Hidden]

Hello Irene 2020,

Like you I found about Ovarian cancer suddenly when my wife became ill. Sadly, I lost her just a few weeks later, but have become an advocate for Ovarian cancer awareness.

You might want to visit the Women of Hope Ovarian Cancer NL FaceBook page. We have members from around the globe including several in different countries in Africa.

I also use the BEAT symptoms for raising awareness, along with posters of the 4 B symptoms you can find in the Women of Hope group.

DENNIS Bevers