Sancia’s ready for a new chapter after ovarian cancer battle

POA: AFTER a seven-month battle with ovarian cancer, 14-year-old Glenorchy schoolgirl ­Sancia Fenton finally has something to smile about.

PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA: 14 year old Sancia Fenton of Goodwood has just finished a battle with ovarian cancer.

AFTER a seven-month battle with ovarian cancer, 14-year-old Glenorchy schoolgirl ­Sancia Fenton finally has something to smile about.

The young cancer sufferer who so publicly shared her ­experiences with Mercury readers is now in remission.

On Monday, she had her final surgery to remove a port from her side that admin­istered chemotherapy.

“They took the tumour out in April and it was all dead ­tumour, which means the chemo worked exactly how they wanted,” Sancia said.

Symptoms began last ­December when the Cosgrove High Year 8 student started to put on weight and complained of feeling tired all the time.

She woke crying in pain on December 19 and was rushed to the family GP and then to the Royal ­Hobart Hospital, where ­doctors discovered a 23cm mass.

Sancia was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where ultrasounds detected ovarian cancer.

It was decided the mass in her pelvis was too big to ­remove, so she ­started an ­intensive chemotherapy regimen on Christmas Day.

Despite the months of ­appointments, procedures and pain, Sancia took it all in her stride and resolved to remain strong.

She decided to go public to let others know the disease ­can affect girls, not just older women, after reading a story on the disease in the Sunday Tasmanian.

After the removal of the ­tumour in April, Sancia has been left with one ovary and the possibility of having her own children one day.

“I think I might want children when I’m older, but much older,” she said.

For overcoming adversity through determination and strength of character, Sancia has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal in the Child of Courage category.

Her mum, Joanne Fenton, said it had been Sancia’s positive attitude that helped everyone through the difficult experience.

“I’m glad it’s over and done with for her sake so she can go on with being a kid again,” she said.

To nominate someone for a Pride of Australia Medal, visit www.themercury.com.au/prideofaustralia. Nominations close 5pm on July 29.