Kate Wilson: Navigating a new landscape of advanced ovarian cancer with olaparib – The Institute of Cancer Research
The Institute of Cancer Research shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Kate Wilson was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in 2019 and was prescribed a targeted drug called olaparib. Five years on the cancer is stable.
Here she explains why, thanks to new treatments, advanced cancer patients like her are navigating a new landscape.
‘I believe it’s important that we figure out a different language for talking about managing a long-term cancer diagnosis, and also what that means in terms of disability and mental attitude.’
‘I’m still officially stage 4 and there are more of us living long term with advanced cancer. My cancer is stable, I’ve just hit my five-year mark, and it’s prompted me to have a bit of a change of mindset.
‘There are so many labels that come with a stage 4 diagnosis, but many no longer apply. ‘When I was 43 and diagnosed, I thought, well, I might not live very long, and what changes do I have to make to my life, what do I have left to do?
‘I know people who have been told to get their affairs in order, they go out, live their lives and embrace everything, and then find themselves five years down the line thinking ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have spent every penny that I have!.’
‘Adjusting to making longer-term plans can be almost as frightening as having to cancel them. I’d become comfortable with the idea of a curtailed life. I’m pretty sure that there’s a really lovely world where the two elements of making the most of every day and embracing the future go together.’
Our appeal is helping more women like Kate survive ovarian and breast cancer. Please donate today.
Read Kate’s full story.”
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