Geelong nurse Sarah Ludowyk raising awareness after losing mum to ovarian cancer
A Geelong nurse has made it her mission to raise awareness after losing her beloved mum to the Australia’s deadliest female cancer.
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A GEELONG nurse has made it her mission to raise awareness for ovarian cancer after losing her beloved mum to the disease.
Sarah Ludowyk’s mum Marilyn Butcher was diagnosed with ovarian cancer – the deadliest female cancer in Australia – in 2014.
“She had limited symptoms, but the cancer was quite advanced,” Mrs Ludowyk said.
“It’s a silent killer, it’s bloody awful.”
The cancer had spread to other organs, including Mrs Butcher’s liver and spleen.
Mrs Butcher, who was lovingly known as Maz, was treated aggressively, undergoing chemotherapy and surgeries.
She was then considered in remission, but her cancer returned “with a vengeance”.
For about 70 per cent of those with advanced disease who do achieve remission, the disease will come back.
Mrs Butcher, described as fabulous, funny and loving, died in 2017, aged 66.
Mrs Ludowyk said her mum was “such a fighter”.
“It was devastating to see someone you love go through such a cruel battle,” she said.
“I wanted to transform that fight mum had and direct it into something that could help others raise awareness and funds.”
Last year Ms Ludowyk held a cocktail night that raised more than $20k, and she is eager to raise awareness around the deadly disease.
Currently only 46 per cent of women diagnosed will survive past five years.
Over 1500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Australia and one woman dies every eight hours from the disease.
The majority of women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer at an advanced stage, largely because signs and symptoms are vague and are commonly experienced by many women.
A lack of an effective screening test also makes early diagnosis difficult.
However, according to Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA), researchers believe they’ve never been closer to a breakthrough.
Professor David Bowtell one of Australia’s leading translational ovarian cancer researchers, said recent advances in understanding of the disease have left researchers more optimistic than ever that new treatments will be found for women with advanced ovarian cancer.
This is why during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, held this February, OCA aims to increase Australians’ understanding of the disease and appeal for donations that can help ensure more women live longer.
“We need more evidence and more resources to improve the lives of the women with this horrific cancer,” OCA CEO Jane Hill said.
“Any donation during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month can really help us get there and this year for every dollar donated on Teal Ribbon Giving Day on the 24 February, OCA will triple it, thanks to our generous major supporters.”
To find out more information or to donate, head to ovariancancer.net.au.
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Originally published as Geelong nurse Sarah Ludowyk raising awareness after losing mum to ovarian cancer
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