Jenny and her daughter Kathryn are both advocates for ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students (STS) program in QLD, Australia and New Zealand respectively.
“One of the first things I wanted to do when diagnosed was to help other women and to maybe prevent women going through what I was.” Said Jenny, after hearing about the STS program in two overseas forums.
“This seemed an excellent way of doing something positive in the medical world as I was aware of many women who had been misdiagnosed for some time, allowing the disease to progress. The following year I heard about STS in Australia and registered my interest.”
Upon completion of STS volunteer training, Jenny began sharing her story with students in early 2018 and found joy and satisfaction in meeting other brave patients and carers who were all trying to create change for future women and their families. Jenny has since trained as an STS Facilitator and is involved in presentations across Australia.
“The main benefit for me is knowing that by educating the next generation of doctors we may be able to diagnose ovarian cancer at earlier stages, thus allowing for more successful outcomes. Along the way I have also met some very wonderful and brave people (patients and carers) who have inspired me.”
Soon enough, Jenny’s daughter Kathryn (who resides in New Zealand) began hearing about her Mum’s efforts and saw an opportunity for the program across the Tasman.
“Mum would relay the events with a sense of fulfillment in being able to actively do something about gynaecological cancers” said Kathryn, a Consultant Physician.
“I started a component of my job looking after the education for newly qualified doctors in the Health District I work in (that covers Otago and Southland in New Zealand). Mum thought that would be a great opportunity to look at starting STS in New Zealand. Mum put us in touch to look at the options. From there, things started moving. This week marks the second year of STS presentations in New Zealand.”
A small but passionate team of STS volunteers has assembled over the last year in New Zealand to bravely share their stories with the next generation of health professionals with the aim of raising awareness of gynaecological cancer symptoms and the importance of good health communication. Kathryn herself has found benefits in being involved with STS.
“It is great for me on a professional level to be able to arrange this for my junior doctors. On a more personal level, being a family member of someone with cancer can be quite isolating and can leave you feeling helpless on the sidelines. Even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic when you are separated from family by border closures! Being able to help get this started is a small thing that I can do to continue what my mum does (with all the other volunteers and staff)…raising awareness of gynaecological cancers and the patient’s experience of that.”
But ultimately, it is the students who attend the sessions that benefit the most from ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students program.
“They get a great deal out of these sessions. For junior doctors starting their training in a hospital, this is an opportunity to learn and appreciate the patient’s experience. Some found the STS sessions challenging, but that can be a growing experience recognising the difficulties (and joys) patients and their families go through.” Reflects Kathryn.
The patient’s experience is a constant narrative in the sessions and reminds the students to remember how important compassion and communication is in their roles as doctors.
“I hope that by hearing personal stories the students will realise that they are dealing with real people who have feelings and could be their mother, wife, sister or grandmother.” Says Jenny.
“We want our future health professionals to be competent, compassionate and caring clinicians and this program helps to achieve that.” Agrees Kathryn.
Want to get involved?
ANZGOG welcomes new volunteers to join the New Zealand STS team. All ovarian or gynaecological cancer survivors or caregivers are encouraged to get involved with the program.
If you would like to volunteer or know anyone who is a gynaecological cancer survivor or caregiver and would be interested in the program, please contact bree.stevens@anzgog.org.au,
For further information on STS, click here.
