We recently held an afternoon tea party at the House of Commons a group of MPs, clinicians, celebrities and activists to launch Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month which runs throughout March.
Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ovarian Cancer, hosted the tea party which was attended by a host of cross-party MPS and celebrities including Michelle Heaton, Tiffany Watson and Cherry Healey.
We were also fortunate enough to have 33-year old writer Fi Munro, author of the highly acclaimed book ‘Live Like You are Dying’, share her first-hand experience of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in women – and accounts for more UK deaths than all of the other gynaecological cancers put together. It remains the hardest gynaecological cancer to diagnose – and currently there is no screening programme.
Ambassadors for The Eve Appeal’s Make Time for Tea include Lorraine Kelly, broadcaster Cherry Healey and television personality Michelle Heaton.
The Eve Appeal is the only UK national charity dedicated to raising awareness and funding research into the five gynaecological cancers.
Dr Ellie Cannon, GP and ambassador for The Eve Appeal (pictured left) says: “Unlike the cervical screening programme, there isn’t a screening programme for ovarian cancer. We know that this disease is the most difficult to diagnose of the five gynae cancers, with the majority of women diagnosed when their cancer is already at stage 3 or 4.
“As a GP, I stress the importance of clear communication between me and my patients. With The Eve Appeal I have created a series of informative videos that cover topics such as the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, hereditary risks and tips for talking to your GP, which will be released throughout Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.”
Fi Munro, author and ovarian cancer case study says: “Three years ago, I was diagnosed with incurable, terminal stage four ovarian cancer when I was just 30 years old. Contrary to popular belief, my cancer wasn’t silent and nor was I. I recognised my symptoms, I visited my GP and insisted on referrals to specialists. I had raised cancer markers and a family history. But I wasn’t listened to because of my age. The Eve Appeal advocates for women like me and ensures our voices are heard.
To be part of that, to be telling my story in the House of Commons in front of politicians and policy makers, and be part of making change happen, is a privilege.”
Athena Lamnisos, Chief Executive of The Eve Appeal, says: “Make Time for Tea is all about raising awareness and funds so we can change the brutal statistics around ovarian cancer. Collaboration and conversation are essential. Our annual tea party brings the key players together – the policy makers, the experts, the women affected by ovarian cancer. These are the people we need to work together to make change happen.”
Politicians who took time out their busy diaries to attend included Amanda Milling, Conservative MP for Cannock Chase, Virendra Sharma, Labour MP Ealing and Southall and Tommy Sheppard, Scottish National Party MP for Edinburgh East.
Throughout Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, The Eve Appeal is encouraging people across the UK to hold tea parties with family, friends and work colleagues to raise funds to support research into early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer.
