Victoria Sharp  BSc Hons M App Sc  M L Arch
The Human Face of Research.
Research means better cancer care, treatment and sometimes cure

1.    Can you tell us a bit about your story?

11 years have passed since my doctor broke the news … it was a cold afternoon in December 2014. I had felt fatigued, bloated and had heavy bleeding for many months leading up to that day. At first, I had not been alarmed by these symptoms … I could justify them … I was a busy mum and of an age that I could blame menopause for how I was feeling.

My symptoms intensified and I was compelled to take action. An urgent ultrasound revealed the magnitude of the problem. The nurse showed me the image, an image that remains with me to this day … my ovaries were huge, the size of an orange. My husband and I were in shock but we acted immediately. I was in hospital for surgery in a matter of days and chemotherapy followed swiftly after surgery.  We continued with routine monitoring.

Some 18 months later I was with a recurrence. The cancer had spread swiftly throughout my body and surgery was not possible. My prognosis was grim and the news was devasting both for myself and my family.

Hope for me came in the form of a new drug offered on clinical trial. The trial has led to great results. I remain on the same life-saving medication to this day. I am so grateful that medical research and work done in previous decades could now deliver this targeted treatment to women with familial cancer. But much work still needs to be done.

My cancer care involves ongoing medication and does come with very difficult side effects and risks. I don’t always feel well. Daily medication and routine blood testing form part of my new routine.

I hope that with more research and better understanding we will move towards accessible and better solutions in cancer care and treatment for all.

2. What is the first thing you did when you finished treatment?

After my chemotherapy I was physically and emotionally depleted.

Travel proved to be the best medicine. I then turned to my cancer community for support. We continue to connect to this day … this has given meaning and purpose to living with cancer.

3. What’s something small that brought you unexpected joy during treatment?

The expertise and care of my treating team, their cheerful, and life affirming approach gave me confidence. I recall to this day the chemotherapy nurse who delivered the best of care but also had time to share in a chat over jelly beans!

4. What do you wish someone told you at the start of cancer therapy?

I have come to understand these things.

o   Know your body, be aware of changes and act quickly

o   Stay connected with your treating team

o   Ask for support from others

o   A prognosis can be daunting but you are not a statistic. Ask about new and emerging treatments

o   Stay strong. Resilience will contribute to a better outcome

5. How has surviving changed the way you see everyday life?

Experiencing cancer had altered my outlook on life. I became interested in raising awareness and advocacy for research and education. My lived experience gave me new insights and knowledge which I can use to make a difference in the lives of others.

6. Why do you think it’s important for companies working in cancer treatment to mark days like National Cancer Survivors Day?

This day gives us a platform to voice our feelings and share our lived experience and learnings … It enables us to express our hopes for a future world free of ovarian cancer. There is an urgent need for research to advance better treatment for women with ovarian cancer.

7. What gives you hope about the future of cancer treatment and research?

Success in some areas of cancer treatment has been inspirational, but for solid tumours such as ovarian cancer it has been disappointing.  Research is on the brink of delivering new life-saving treatment options. Research means better outcomes in cancer care and treatment.

Victoria Sharp

Consumer Health Advocate & Leader 

ANZGOG Research Advisor

VCCC Community Advisory Committee member

PeterMac Community Advisory Committee member

PeterMac “Patients as Partners in Care”