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WWW.horncastleneWs.co.UK est 1885 tel: 01507 526868 Wednesday, March 7, 2012

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Dont be a victim of a silent killer

by alison sandilands
alison.sandilands@jpress.co.uk

IMAGINE the heartbreak of not being able to say goodbye to a loved one quickly struck down with a disease known as the silent killer.
This happened to Su Bruzas who was on holiday in 2010 when her mother, Vera Walker, was unexpectedly taken in for emergency surgery, after tests revealed ovarian cancer. The cancer was advanced and Vera, 74, never regained consciousness. Su, who is in her 50s and lives in Shop Hill, Mareham le Fen, with her husband Keith, said: We didnt realise she was ill. She had a bad stomach but kept thinking it was something she had eaten. Now Su is working to raise awareness of ovarian cancer by championing Ovacome - the ovarian cancer support network. She dons teal coloured nail varnish. But far from being a fashion statement, this is actually part of

the charitys campaign. It is hoped the colour teal will become the associated colour with ovarian cancer - as pink is with breast cancer. Currently, as part of the National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, running throughout March, salons are being encouraged to sell OPIs Teal the Cows Come Home nail varnish, where 1 for each bottle sold is donated to Ovacome. Su has already been around salons in Horncastle to ask if they would consider stocking this colour. This is one of the steps she has taken to raise awareness, along with handing out posters at local doctors surgeries. The couple spoke of their shock at losing Vera. Keith said: She was a healthy woman outwardly up until two months before she died. Its difficult because there was no closure. Around 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the UK, making it the most common gynaecological cancer.

It is often referred to as the silent killer as symptoms can be easily missed or mistaken for other conditions. In fact, approximately 75 per cent of women have advanced disease at the point of diagnosis. The average number of GP visits by a woman before correct diagnosis is four and there is no current screening programme available. As part of the awareness month, Ovacome is highlighting some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer with their BEAT advice: B is for bloating - it is persistent and does not come and go. E is for eating - difficulty eating and feeling full more quickly. A is for abdominal - and pelvic pain you feel most days. T is for talking and telling your GP. For further information or to make donations go online and visit www.ovacome.org.uk l To see a video interview of Su speaking about the campaign, visit the Horncastle News website, www.horncastlenews. co.uk

Beat sIlent KIller: su Bruzas, with husband Keith, donning teal coloured nail varnish - part of ovacomes teal tips campaign to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.