Every day for the past month, Woodend resident Karyn Stamp has ‘frocked up’ with family and friends and posted photos on Facebook, which is well outside her comfort zone.
However, getting glammed up and parading on social media is a chance for Karyn to have a laugh at a time when there are days where she simply does not feel up to it.
In May, she was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer and has had major surgery and chemotherapy to combat the disease.
“I had symptoms of extreme bloating, feeling full after eating small meals and the need to urinate urgently,” Karyn explained.
“It was not until some abnormal results following a routine blood test prompted an abdominal ultrasound, which identified ascites (abdominal fluid containing cancer cells), a common symptom of late-stage ovarian cancer.”
Karyn began chemotherapy in June and is currently recovering from major surgery in September.
“My diagnosis has had an enormous impact on my life and my family,” she said.
“I have taken time off work during treatment and am unsure when I will be well enough to return to work.
“While my chemotherapy treatments have been successful, ovarian cancer returns for more than 80 per cent of women with advanced cancer and then treatment options are limited as the cancer often becomes chemo-resistant.”
The survival rates for ovarian cancer are concerning:
• The average five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer patients is 49 per cent, compared with 92 per cent for breast cancer, 84 per cent for uterine cancer, and 74 per cent for cervical cancer.
• Over the next 10 years alone, it is estimated that 10,000 Australian women and girls will lose their lives to ovarian cancer.
• Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of all gynaecological cancers and most women are diagnosed at a late stage because there is no screening or early detection tools and symptoms are vague and often missed.
To raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research, Karyn, her family, friends and even her cat have been frocking up for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation’s annual Frocktober event – Australia’s most fashionable fundraiser.
On October 29, Karyn and her friends from Woodend participated in ‘Frock around the Rock’, where everyone (men and women) put on a dress and had a group photo taken at nearby Hanging Rock by fabulous local photographer Kim Selby.
“It was a chance to use an amazing location, one that is synonymous with the area, to help raise awareness of ovarian cancer,” Karyn said.
“Then in late November, local comedian and friend Des Dowling will host a comedy night with Dave O’Neil and a local band to raise funds for OCRF, and awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
“I would like to see a campaign to make sure GPs are aware of ovarian cancer symptoms, and an early detection and screen tool available and more treatments for women with advanced ovarian cancer.”
Karyn has so far raised more than $14,000, with a target of $25,000. Donations can be made throughout November at www.frocktober.org.au/fundraise/stampyk
L-R: Agatha Stamp, Tom Stamp, Karyn Stamp and Fenella Stamp. Photo: Kim Selby Photography 
L-R: Del Lloyd, Josh Duyker, Karyn Stamp, Kim Powell and Jane Howard. Photo: Kim Selby Photography 
Karyn and her friends participate in ‘Frock around the Rock’. Photo: Kim Selby Photography
