Teal Toes tell a life saving tale this February!

Teal Toes tell a life saving tale this February!

Carol Nelson, a wonderfully chic and very determined Gisborne woman, has launched the world wide ‘Teal Toes’ movement here this February. Carol has ovarian cancer, and her ‘Turn Your Toes Teal registered charity is to raise awareness of this cruel and deadly disease which kills 1 woman every 48 hours in New Zealand
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Teal Toe polish is being sold all over NZ in preparation for glamorous feet this February! Carol herself will be selling the polish at St Lukes, Pakuranga and Takapuna malls, with the help of her birthday present, ‘Cathy’ the mannequin whose job it will be to model her very own fabulous teal toes. In true kiwi style, Carol has just got stuck in, determined to do her bit to increase early detection and save lives.

Ovarian Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in New Zealand women – and no screening test yet exists. Carol says “Yes, that’s right, it’s down to the woman to notice changes in her body, and to see her doctor as soon as she can, so women have to learn and be reminded over and over, what symptoms to take notice of!”
Carol’s fledgling charity can be found on Facebook “Ovarian Cancer Awareness New Zealand’.

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in Australia. In that country, celebrities and politicians alike, join together to get the public to take notice of this hard to diagnose and very deadly disease.

In New Zealand, we are lagging behind in our education, with women scarily lacking knowledge of ovarian cancer, with many assuming an ‘all clear’ from a cervical smear test meaning ovaries too have been checked. Not so says Carol “the smear test has nothing to do with a woman’s ovaries! To catch ovarian cancer, a woman has to notice changes primarily in her abdomen, specifically persistent bloating, tummy pain and difficulty eating, including feeling full quickly”.

Carol begs women to see their GP if they experience these symptoms persistently (i.e. on most days, for two weeks or more). “Research shows women visit their doctors several times before they are diagnosed and these delays in diagnosis lead to psychological distress and can impact on survival. Its early detection that helps save lives with ovarian cancer”.

Shockingly, 80% of women with ovarian cancer die within 5 years, because the cancer is not diagnosed until it’s at an advanced stage. Women are strongly encouraged to seek a second opinion from a doctor if their symptoms persist.

NOTES

1. In a woman with any unexplained, non-specific abdominal symptoms alone (bloating, constipation, abdominal or back pain, urinary symptoms), Ovarian cancer should be considered, abdominal palpation undertaken and a pelvic examination considered* (Ministry of Health – Suspected Cancer in Primary Care Guidelines)

2. A CA 125 blood test and pelvic ultrasound followed by a biopsy is required to diagnose ovarian cancer.

3. Carol featured in the Silver Ribbon Foundation ‘Sharing the Journey’ book on gynaecological cancer and spoke at the book launch, with award winning author Kate de Goldi.

IncidenceOvarian cancer is the 4th biggest killer of New Zealand women – with one woman dying every 48 hours from ovarian cancer.

There are approximately 310 new cases per year, and 188 deaths

85% of ovarian cancer cases occur in women aged 45 and over.

The following factors may raise a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer:

Risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age. Women of all ages have a risk of ovarian cancer, but women over 45 are more likely to develop ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer risk increases for women who have a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, sister) who has had ovarian cancer. The risk increases when two or more first-degree relatives have had the disease.

About 1 in 10 ovarian cancers are caused by an inherited faulty gene. A mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Women of North American, Northern European, or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Women who have never had children, and have not taken the contraceptive pill (it is thought that having children, and/or taking the contraceptive pill gives the ovaries a ‘rest’)

Women who have taken estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.

Recent studies have shown that postmenopausal women who are obese are also more likely to die from the disease.

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