OVARIAN cancer advocate Jill Emberson's petition on change.org has attracted more than 25,000 signatures.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The petition calls for funding for ovarian cancer to be brought into line with other cancers.
Ms Emberson, a former ABC radio presenter in Newcastle who founded the Pink Meets Teal campaign, was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in February 2016.
"Surprisingly, my treatment was the same they've been giving women for 50 years: de-bulking surgery followed by brutal chemotherapy," she said in the petition.
"Quite typically my cancer relapsed before Christmas 2016, making me terminal. Why? There is no cure for relapsed ovarian cancer.
"I was horrified to learn this and think it's pretty outrageous. Our ovaries are the very essence of life and yet, when it comes to cancer, they are stuck with decades-old treatment and a shocking prognosis."
She found it "cruel and terrifying" to know she wouldn't survive to share "significant life milestones like my daughter's graduation, her marriage, her first child".
Ms Emberson said she had "come to know many single and married mums who are living with this fear as they deal with the realities of their ovarian cancer".
"And there's a common reaction - if I had breast cancer the chances of me surviving would be doubled. How unfair. Breast cancer receives four times as much funding as ovarian cancer and corporate funding is almost endless."
She said money pays for research and research provides better outcomes.
"It's pretty simple," she said.
"Ovarian cancer takes the lives of 1000 Australian women every year but is one of the most under-funded cancers receiving four times less than breast cancer.
"I applaud the tremendous outcomes in the fight against breast cancer and believe that, with similar commitment and resources, we can achieve the same success for ovarian cancer."
She said funding fairness was needed to give women with ovarian cancer a "fighting chance to be here for our children and grandchildren - to continue to contribute to society, rather than be taken before our time just because society did not see ovaries as important as breasts".
She called on the government and donors to "look below the waist when it comes to cancer funding".
"Give researchers the money they need to come up with a screening test, clinical trials and better treatment options for ovarian cancer," she said.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here.
