Meagan O’Hehir and Heather Cust met years before cancer entered either of their lives, crossing paths on the netball courts of the Rosebud Football Netball Club. It would take a diagnosis, then another, to turn a passing acquaintance into a partnership that now reaches dozens of peninsula families a year. Meagan was 33, fit and healthy when, in October 2022, she found a lump in her breast. The diagnosis was invasive HER2-positive breast cancer. What followed was a year of IVF to preserve her fertility, six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, five weeks of radiation, twelve months of immunotherapy, and multiple…
Browsing: cancer
THE family of 12-year-old Marnie, this year’s school captain from Hastings Primary School, have turned to the community for support as the vibrant student faces a battle against childhood cancer. Marnie’s aunty Jessekah Thompson told The News her “beautiful niece” Marnie was “incredibly proud” to be named school leader for her final year of primary school. “Marnie has always been someone who goes above and beyond to help others,” said Jessekah. “Whether it is helping younger students, getting involved in the school community or simply being there for another child, Marnie has always been the kind of person who puts…
PAUL Maley didn’t give much thought to breast cancer, until a sleepless night three years ago changed everything. The Mornington Peninsula-based former professional NBL player is one of the subjects of Conquering Breast Cancer, a new Australian documentary releasing in cinemas nationwide from 10 June, including at Village Cinemas Karingal on 21 June. Presented by Melbourne filmmaker Sue Collins, the film weaves together survivor stories – including those of Olympic legend Raelene Boyle AM MBE, and First Nations mountaineer Kristal Kinsela – with expert insight from leading oncologists and researchers, asking whether Australia can rise to the challenge of ending…
A FAMILIAR face on Mornington’s beaches is stepping it up for a fundraising campaign close to her heart. Mornington beach patrol leader Susan Young – part of a volunteer group that regularly cleans and monitors beaches across Mornington – is fundraising for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) after her best friend of 50 years, Michelle, was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer late last year. Young said Michelle began treatment almost immediately after her diagnosis. To raise funds for the OCRF, which is Australia’s leading independent funder of ovarian cancer research, Young has pledged to shave her head once…
VICTORIA Sharp’s story is about hope and the power of research to deliver better treatments and outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers. Her story is one of those being told as part of an initiative by the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) about advancing research into these types of women’s cancers.Diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, Victoria Sharp’s future looked dire until a ground-breaking clinical trial offered her a second chance. The Mt Martha resident was diagnosed with the disease in 2015, but with limited treatment options and a rapidly progressing illness, doctors gave her little hope. “I had…
JOHN Bloggs’ life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He was left feeling “lost” and unsure of the future after the cancer was removed and he was in remission. On the advice of a dietician, Mr Bloggs joined five other participants in a seven-week cancer rehabilitation program run by Peninsula Health. The program aims to improve quality of life, in particular the physical function, fatigue, stress or anxiety and diet of cancer survivors. It includes exercise, education settings and self-management strategies. “After I had received my treatment I felt cut off. It was more of…