Global Women's Voices: Share Personal Stories

Kath, Australia

Submitted by:

In 1988, when I was 37, I was told to have my cervix lasered following an abnormal Pap smear. Six years after this laser treatment, in 1994, I was diagnosed with a gynecological cancer. I noticed after my operation, that my medical records stated back in 1988 that I had the Human Papilloma virus (HPV).

This was when I first learned that HPV can be a risk factor for cancer. It was only after my discovery that it was explained what HPV was.

I felt completely betrayed that I had not been informed correctly about the risk of this virus, yet today some nine years after I first learned about HPV I still hear that women are very much in the dark and confused. Many suffer in silence.

Not only does this mean that my cancer may have been prevented by more knowledge, but that other women can learn from my experience and may not have to go through what I now live with.

Until this day I cannot understand why HPV prevention is not a top priority issue for the women’s cancer for prevention lobby.

It horrifies me to think that women may be undergoing hysterectomies, cancer cell removal, vulvectomies and also dying without being aware of the link with HPV.

My gynecological cancer was treated by a radical vulvectomy including the removal of my clitoris vulva and lymph glands. The physical and psychological and lack of support was incredible. I have since found other women who have experienced the same feelings. Something needs to be done.

It appears the sex education programs which young people receive in school seems to avoid the topic or just skim past it. From what I have learned, HPV is nothing to fear but something to understand and take responsibility for. It is only through public awareness seminars and forums that this vital knowledge can be gained.

It was out of this frustration I founded GAIN Gynecological Awareness Information Network.

As part of its mission GAIN is holding the inaugural National Gynecological Awareness Day September 10 of each year. We are appealing for health professionals and consumers to support us in whichever way they can to promote this important issue.

The day is intended to encourage women to have a better understanding about endometriosis, infertility, gynecological cancers, hysterectomies, sexual transmitted infections, vulval conditions, and correct terminology’s of their gynecological anatomy.

Women are ready to be given upfront knowledge, to access the risk and responsibility about this virus.

As a health consumer one needs to question why it is that we as women are not being informed about this issue in community forums.

Unless women know the symptom they do not know what to look for and will not seek diagnosis.

Early diagnosis of course means catching the cancer early and this results in preserving our inner core of womanhood thus preventing emotional suffering and consequent societal society alienation of many women and their families

Gain believes the way of the future is for medical professionals and health consumers to work together as a team to be able to make informed decisions together.

Kath Story – a personal experience with HPV
By Kath Mazzella - Consumer Health Forum perspective
Founder - GAIN Inc.
Gynecological Awareness Information Network

updated: 7/2/2004