Beneath sparkling chandeliers, packed into the lavish dining hall of High Street’s Mansfield House, dozens of women listened intently to startling figures about ovarian cancer.
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“The survival rate for ovarian cancer is about 43 per cent,” John Hunter Hospital gynaeoncology clinical nurse consultant Anne Mellon told the crowd.
“Compare that with breast cancer, where the survival rate is between 80 and 90 per cent.”
Ms Mellon’s audience, all wearing teal clothes and ribbons, had gathered for the Women’s Network Hunter’s annual Afternoon Teal fundraiser.
The event collects funds for treatment and research into the cancer, but strives to make women aware of the vague symptoms and empower them to pressure doctors for exhaustive tests.
“The survival rate is so low because [ovarian cancer] is just diagnosed so late,” Ms Mellon told Fairfax Media.
“We want women to push their doctor, to be persistent, to get the tests done.”
Visit ovariancanceraustralia.net.au for a list of symptoms.