Stacee Barnes warns women to look out for the symptoms of ovarian cancer
A Territorian survivor of a disease that kills half of those affected wants other women to be aware of its subtle yet serious symptoms. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Northern Territory
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Diagnosing Territorian Stacee Barnes’ deadly disease was not easy.
She only discovered she had ovarian cancer after her right ovary was removed and sent off for testing in late 2018.
“It was January 4 (2019) — I remember the date clearly — I was sat down in a little room at Royal Darwin Hospital with my ex-husband and told I had ovarian cancer,” Ms Barnes said.
“I wasn’t given any information and the doctor walked out afterwards.
“I remember just thinking, ‘what the hell is going on?’”
Ms Barnes said her biggest fight was the arduous treatment.
“I was told I would need a hysterectomy,” she said.
“So I went through the whole IVF process, saw a psychologist and tried my best to mentally prepare for it.
“Literally the day before I was booked in for it, I got a call from Royal Darwin Hospital telling me I no longer needed the surgery.”
Ms Barnes said she was relieved, but still cautious, leading her to seek a second opinion from down south.
This second opinion raised the alarm, and Ms Barnes was told she would need to get chemotherapy immediately.
“They called me and said you need to go straight in to hard chemo for six months for advanced cancer,” she said.
“I feel like throughout the whole experience from diagnosis to treatment, I was never once really given proper information about ovarian cancer.
“When I went in to get my chemo at the Alan Walker Cancer Centre at RDH I remember sitting in the waiting room and seeing all these books about cancer, and not one of them were about my form of cancer — ovarian cancer.”
It was this lack of information which led this natural fighter to a life of activism and awareness after she finished her treatment in mid-2019.
“I took it upon myself to do advocacy for ovarian cancer,” she said.
“People are dying and the survival rate is only 49 per cent.
“One of the biggest issues is there is no screening test and that is mostly down to lack of funding — ovarian cancer is one of the most underfunded cancers.
“The journey I went through was so tough and I want to help other women to navigate it.”
Ms Barnes said she had since helped to raise $300,000 for the cancer doctors describe as a “silent killer”.
Through her advocacy and connecting with other survivors, Ms Barnes said she learned her experience in Darwin was not unique — women all over Australia faced a lack of detail and understanding about ovarian cancer.
Most recently Ms Barnes has fought ovarian cancer in the boxing ring by continuing to raise awareness and fundraise.
On Friday she will compete at the Club Championships boxing tournament in Adelaide along with four other female fighters.
“It’s one of those illnesses where you need to advocate for yourself,” she said.
“With no accurate screening it’s so important women know the symptoms.
“Women know their own body best.
“You know something’s not right, so listen to your body.
“The main symptoms are feeling full, toilet frequency, loss of weight and stomach pain.”
Ovarian Cancer Australia chief executive Debbie Shiell described Ms Barnes as a “tireless advocate”.
“Ovarian cancer is known as the ‘silent killer’ because its symptoms are often vague and go undetected until it’s advanced,” Ms Shiell said.
“In the face of this, Stacee’s courage, advocacy, and fundraising efforts are inspiring.
“She has been a tireless advocate for women impacted by ovarian cancer, and we are proud to stand with her—providing expert care and support to every woman impacted, no matter where she lives.”
May 8 is World Ovarian Cancer Day, a day to raise awareness and educate others on ovarian cancer.
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