Peter Williams joins fight against ‘Silent Cancer’

Veteran broadcaster Peter Williams joins fight against New Zealand’s ‘Silent Cancer’

Williams announced as New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation Ambassador

Peter Williams has joined forces with the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation’s (NZGCF) new chairman John Slater and general manager Bridgette Jackson in memory of his first wife who died from ovarian cancer.

All three have a strong message for Kiwi women: “Take charge of your health by listening to your body and understanding the signs and symptoms of gynae cancer, with early detection saving lives”.
Three New Zealand women are diagnosed and one dies every day from gynaecological cancer, which encompasses ovarian, cervical, uterine, vulva and vaginal.
TVNZ broadcaster Peter Williams, former National Party president John Slater and NZGCF general manager Bridgette Jackson all have one thing in common – someone they loved died of gynae cancer.

Peter’s first wife, Cecile, and Bridgette’s mum, Maureen, both died of ovarian cancer. John’s wife, Margaret, died from clear cell uterine cancer.

Their primary focus is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of all gynaecological cancers with the goal of getting women to a specialist sooner.
Peter Williams is all too aware of the need to educate New Zealand women about the early symptoms. “Cecile died of ovarian cancer in 1996 when she was only 42. After going to her GP complaining of an upset stomach, she was initially diagnosed with water on the lungs and it was only after extensive tests that she was diagnosed with incurable ovarian cancer. Cecile died just 10 months later,” he said.
“At the time of Cecile’s illness there was little information about the early symptoms of ovarian cancer. NZGCF is doing a fantastic job working to address this and as an ambassador, I’m doing what I can to help raise awareness and understanding of this terrible disease,” Peter Williams said.
NZGCF general manager Bridgette Jackson also has first-hand experience of ovarian cancer with her mother, Maureen McKean, dying in 2009, 18 months after diagnosis.
“Mum felt tired and bloated and was diagnosed at Stage 4 and by then she would have had the cancer for six months. She was one of the 80% of women with ovarian cancer who die within two years of being diagnosed – a truly awful statistic,” she said.

“One of the main reasons why gynaecological cancer isn’t talked about enough is because of society’s attitudes to women’s reproductive systems. It’s the fourth largest cause of cancer deaths for New Zealand women but people don’t want to talk about ‘down there,” Bridgette Jackson said.

John Slater’s wife, Margaret, died of clear cell uterine cancer in 2012 aged 66. John, who received an O.N.Z.M (Officer of the N.Z Order of Merit) for services to the community in 2013, says gynaecological cancer is often called the ‘silent cancer’ because symptoms are so varied and often considered unrelated.

“When Margaret was diagnosed after having no warning signs we were all devastated that she had only a 15 per cent chance of survival. It was a very emotional and demanding experience for the family as we worked through the 12 month period from Margaret’s diagnosis to her passing away.”

“We are also acutely aware that Maori and Pacific Island women are at much higher risk and NZGCF is looking to identify the factors to help reduce the mortality rate,” he said.

The 'Leonie Coates Gynaecological Cancer Charitable Trust', operating as the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation, was established in 2007 as a family initiative following the death of Leonie Coates from ovarian cancer in 2006.

ENDS

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