Words Jemma Volp-Fletcher.
Photos Matt Ford.
Investigative
journalist and TV presenter Cherry Healey showed her support for North West
Cancer Research Fund’s O-Very campaign by meeting patients, doctors and the
charity’s team of scientific researchers to find out more about ovarian cancer,
its symptoms and the predispositions amongst women.
The
O-Very campaign has been launched by North West Cancer Research Fund (NWCRF) to
raise awareness about ovarian cancer, which is the biggest gynaecological
killer of women in the UK and affects nearly 7,000 women every year.
Cherry,
best known for her insightful documentaries on BBC3, visited the NWCRF funded
research laboratories at University of Liverpool to meet with lead researcher
Dr Daimark Bennett who is working on a pioneering three-year project using
fruit flies to investigate the role of proteins in the spread of ovarian
cancer.
The
work by Dr Daimark Bennett and his team is one of several cancer research
projects that NWCRF is currently funding. The charity spends nearly £1million
each year providing grants for fundamental research in the North West of
England and Wales into the causes of cancer and how it spreads.
Dr
Daimark Bennett said: “Because ovarian cancer is often only detected when it
has spread to other organs our research primarily looks at the ‘pathways’ the
disease uses to permeate other organs which will help us better understand the
disease. A huge number of women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer
each year and the disease ends up killing almost two thirds of that number – a
death rate of over 70 per cent - which is why our research is so crucial.”
Cherry
also met with Debbie Taaffe, 48, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in June
2010 to find out more about the disease and why it is often dubbed the ‘silent
killer’.
Debbie
said: “I am absolutely determined to raise awareness about this horrible
disease and its symptoms – the more women that know what to look out for, the more
will be saved through early diagnosis. The problem is not that the disease is
‘silent’ and doesn’t have any symptoms, it’s that they are often confused with
other issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and gallstones.
“The
message I want to get out there is that women need to listen to their own
bodies and seek medical advice if they experience any of the following
symptoms: persistent abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, changes in bowel
habits, loss of appetite and fatigue. Smear tests do not pick up ovarian cancer
so it’s important for women to spread the word to their friends and family –
it’s about creating a ripple effect.”
During
her visit Cherry also had time to meet with several of the charity’s key
committee fundraisers and supporters including Janet Bailey, who had her
ovaries removed as a preventative measure after her mother tragically died of
the disease 12 months ago.
Cherry
said: “I am honoured and moved to have met such amazing and inspirational
people during my visit – I have learnt so much in just one day from the
research team to the doctors and the fundraisers who make all the charity’s
work possible. It has brought it all home how aggressive this type of cancer is
and the importance of raising both awareness and funds for the cutting edge
research to continue. It sounds dramatic but it’s absolutely true that this
campaign will save lives.”
Cherry’s involvement with the
O-Very campaign is hoped to encourage ladies around the country to hold their
own fundraising and awareness drives on Friday 2nd March – O-Very
Day – to coincide with ovarian cancer awareness month.
North West Cancer Research
Fund provides grants to support fundamental research in the North West of
England and North and Mid-Wales, into the causes of cancer and the mechanisms
by which cancers arise and exert their effects.
North West Cancer Research
Fund is one of the region’s most cost-effective charities with almost 90p in every
£1 going directly to cancer research.
Press enquiries:
Natalie Stewart
Think Publicity
0151 236 5372
