In 2017, Tracey Hong will celebrate her 50th birthday and it will also be seven years since she was first diagnosed with cancer.
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She was initially sent to Liverpool Hospital for a bowel obstruction where it was discovered she had ovarian cancer.
On Teal Ribbon Day, February 22, Tracey is calling on all Highlands women to be more aware of ovarian cancer.
Before she went to Liverpool Hospital, the Highlands resident said she had had no symptoms.
“It was pretty daunting [and] it had already mastecised and spread to the stomach, bowel and liver,” she said.
Tracey then had to undergo an eight-hour surgery to remove the cancer, followed by 18 weeks of chemotherapy.
Given the all clear, it was only a few years later that her protein levels started to flare up again.
Doctors use a CA 125 blood test to measure the amount of protein in a person’s blood.
An increased level can indicate whether or not a person has ovarian cancer which can then be confirmed through further tests.
Doctors then discovered the cancer had spread to her uterus. This meant she had to have a full hysterectomy.
“I went to Royal Randwick and that’s when they discovered it had actually changed to uterine cancer.”
The combination of both ovarian and uterine cancer is a rare one.
But after all this it was still not over.
At the start of 2017 Tracey had acute renal failure as a result of the cancer spreading to her bladder and again had to be hospitalised.
For now Tracey said it was “wait and watch”.
Despite the constant trials, Tracey has never lost her sense of humour.
“I have a very positive attitude. You have to have a sense of humour because it can be such a daunting and overwhelming journey. I find a bright spark every day.”
Tracey was just 43 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
According to Ovarian Cancer Australia, only 43 per cent of women diagnosed survive five years past diagnosis.
“It’s a cancer that can just creep up on you. It used to be an older woman’s cancer but now it just doesn’t seem to care.”
It can be difficult to recognise the symptoms of ovarian cancer but Tracey said anyone with persistent bloating, frequent urination, abdominal or pelvic pain or feeling full after eating a small amount should consult their GP.
She said there were two websites she had found extremely useful over the past several years.
The Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation (www.agcf.org.au) provides information on understanding, prevention and management of all gynaecological cancers.
It also raises funds that go towards research for the prevention and early detection of gynaecological cancers in Australia.
The Australian Society Gynaecological Oncologists (www.asgo.net.au) works to improve the standard of care for women with gynaecological cancers as well as research into gynaecological cancers.
Highlanders can act to raise awareness and funds to help Ovarian Cancer Australia deliver support, advocacy, research and awareness programs by hosting a fundraising Afternoon Teal.
Teal is the the international colour for ovarian cancer.
Teal ribbons are available for $2 from Chemmart Pharmacies, Terry White Chemists, or Chemplus stores nationally, as well as from www.ovariancancer.net.au
