Lydia Petrie was just 21 when she was diagnosed with a rare cancer on one of her ovaries.
The Epping woman was told she had immature ovarian teratoma, a type of germ cell tumor that originates in women’s egg cells.
Six years later, Ms Petrie has undergone surgery five times.
Despite having had the cancerous cells in her body removed, the 27-year-old has numerous benign tumors and must have check-ups every six months.
“I feel like the journey is still going,” she said.
“It affects my day-to-day life. I experience pain and discomfort a lot, and I have my ups and downs. Today it was all right, but maybe it will flair up next week.”
Next month, Ms Petrie will host her fifth ‘Girls Night in for Cancer’, a Cancer Council initiative designed to encourage women to celebrate their friendships and raise money for cancer research.
“My cancer isn’t that well known, so I hope that some research from the event is going towards it,” Ms Petrie said.
Cancer Council Victoria is encouraging women to get together for a ‘night in’ to support local women diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancers.
This year, about 3700 events will take place around the state. Some are sleepovers, others movie nights or ‘pamper parties’.
Cancer Council spokeswoman Barbara Charan said that while the number of women diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancers continues to grow, five-year survival rates for breast cancer have increased to 90 per cent from 73 per cent 20 years ago, thanks to investment in research, prevention and support.
Register an event in October at www.girlsnightin.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.
