Two-time vulva cancer survivor reveals ordeal to fight stigma
Treatment for this little-known disease, that affects women and is on the rise, can be “incredibly harsh”. Nicola’s journey started after noticing itchy and angry bumps.
A two-time survivor of a little-known cancer is calling for better awareness of the rare disease hundreds of Australian women are diagnosed with every year.
Nicola Du Thaler knew something wasn’t right when she started to experience a “row of angry, itchy bumps” along her genital area in 2018.
Her gynaecologist performed a punch biopsy that revealed Ms Du Thaler had vulva cancer, which presented in a six-centimetre tumour.
“At the point, the two options that I had were radiation and chemo or surgery, which, given the position of the tumour, would have meant that I would have ended up with a stoma,” Ms Du Thaler said.
“After the radiation, the whole area was burnt, blistered, and peeled.
“It was just like the worst sunburn you’ve ever had in an area that you never really want to have sunburn.”
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After treatment, the Brisbane woman continued to have six-month check-ups for the next few years.
In 2021, her gynaecological oncologist, found another tumour.
“Because I’d had all the radiation I could have, and I had all the chemo I could have, my only option that time was surgery,” the 58-year-old said.
“So I had the surgery, they removed my back passage to get the margin that they needed, and I live with a stoma now.
“That was October 2021, so four and a bit years, I’m hanging on now for the five-year mark where I can finally be declared cancer free.”
About 400 women are diagnosed with vulva cancer each year in Australia.
Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation senior research fellow Dr Eva Baxter said there had been an increase in vulva cancer across all age groups, but particularly among women under 60.
“It’s concerning because this used to be a cancer we associated mainly with older women,” Dr Baxter said.
“Research is still underway to understand what’s driving this rise.
“Vulva cancer remains a rare but serious disease that’s still under-researched and
underfunded.
“While outcomes have improved, the standard treatment can be incredibly harsh and life-changing for many women.
“More research is urgently needed to make treatments safer and kinder.
“Sustained funding is vital to accelerate this progress.”
Ms Du Thaler urged for greater awareness and a reduction of stigma around the disease.
“I tell my story now … because it’s so rare and no one else will ever speak about it,” Ms Du Thaler said.
“I want other women out there to know that they’re not alone.
“You can get help and advice, and you can talk to other people about it, because I think with gynaecological cancer, it’s really hard, because women are so ashamed of it.
“You didn’t do anything wrong to get the cancer.”
