27 Feb Painting the town Teal for ovarian cancer awareness

After having to postpone a Teal Afternoon Tea for over 3 years due to COVID, local close friends Maria Gordon, Lisa Togni, Simone Togni, Carrie Brown and Jennie Wilson were finally able to paint the town teal with a community event raising awareness for ovarian cancer yesterday.

The event was attended by about 80 community members enjoying a beautifully home-made afternoon tea with a glass of prosecco while watching a fashion parade, with Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) staff members Corry Kerr and Sabine McKenzie braving the catwalk. Entertainment was provided by Carrie Brown and TDHS staff member Bec McAuliffe portraying Prue & Trude, characters from famous Australian comedy series Kath and Kim.

Community members and shops around the district contributed items for raffles and more than $4000 was raised to go towards vital ovarian cancer research.

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and Teal Ribbon Day is held every year on the last Wednesday in February. The bright and vibrant colour teal is used to bring awareness to a cancer where symptoms can be very subtle or unclear which makes it easy to miss.

Ovarian cancer is a disease where some of the cells in one or both ovaries start to grow abnormally and develop into cancer.

There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer, so all women need to be aware of the symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms for ovarian cancer are:

• Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
• Abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain
• Feeling full after eating a small amount
• Needing to urinate often or urgently

 

Additional Symptoms

• Changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Excessive fatigue
• Lower back pain
• Indigestion or nausea
• Bleeding after menopause or in-between periods
• Pain during sex or bleeding after

It is important to remember all the symptoms mentioned can be caused by other, less serious medical conditions. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, which are persistent and troublesome, you should see your doctor. They will be able to examine you and if necessary, do further tests to find the cause of your problems.

You know your body better than anyone else, so always listen to what your body is saying and trust your instincts.

You can track your symptoms in a symptom diary, which you can download by going to www.ovariancancer.net.au/page/134/signs-and-symptoms and take this record with you to your doctor.

For more information you can go to www.ovariancancer.net.au or you can book an appointment with our Community Health Nurse Amanda Nash or with one of our GPs by calling 5558 6088.