Your Stories

Rosalind, Blackbutt QLD

Both my parents had cancer. My dad died at 90 of stomach cancer, and my mum at 59 from sceptacemia following a bowel cancer operation. My first husband also died at the age of 54 from melanoma, and my favourite cousin died from mesothelioma when she was 54.

I have had several polyps removed since I was 45 during colonoscopies, and am participating in this study for the next generations so that they might have better outcomes than were available in our generations.

Carol, Toowoomba QLD

I had an Aunt and 2 Uncles, also friends and colleagues who have passed away because of cancer.

But I also have family members and friends who are cancer survivors.

Everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by this dreaded disease.

So anything that I can do to help the study, and fight it, I will do.

Jackalyn, Port Macquarie NSW

My mother and grandmother passed away from metastatic melanoma and I don't wish that experience on anybody.

If my contribution can help another family from experiencing the loss of a loved one this way it would be very rewarding.

My father has also had a melanoma removed from his back and is now 11 years clear of it returning, and also my uncle passed away from Lymphoma when he was only 51 years old so we have a history of cancers in my family.

Lynden, Frankston VIC

My Mother lost her battle with breast cancer aged 40 back in 1970 when there was still little research being done. Nowadays she would have been treated and still with us had we known what we do now, including early diagnosis.

My Dad was diagnosed with Prostate cancer 20 years later and thanks to a bit of surgery & radiation treatment he recovered well. Unfortunately he passed another 10 years later from Motor Neurone Disease.

Recently my best friend and many other friends have also recovered from different cancers so I am always grateful for the ongoing research into beating this disease.

Diane, Flinders NSW

My younger sister had breast cancer and physically changed her to the point that she could not fight it anymore. She left 2 small children behind.

My father was struck down with brain cancer, this was particularly devastating for him as it attacked his speech, the one thing he enjoyed doing the most.

I have had a couple of friends that have passed away with cervical and lymphoma cancer.

One of my students passed away from cancer while he was still at school, heartbreaking.

I hope this has helped. Thank you for the opportunity to help in some small way.

Jennifer, Watson ACT

My beloved darling, Ross Eric Hughan, was given an extra five amazing years of life after being diagnosed with a very rare brain cancer. Those five years came from the cancer research that had already been done before his diagnosis.

I am participating in this study as a way of saying thank you for those five extra years that Ross enjoyed amongst us and for the miracle of the birth of his two children.

Catherine, Baringhup VIC

I want to make a contribution to research into cancer.

A number of my close friends have suffered from a range of cancers and if any of this suffering could be avoided it would be a tremendous break through for them and their families and friends.

I'm fortunate to have reached 70 years of age in general good health and I hope in the smallest way my life experiences will assist researchers.

Susan, Safety Beach VIC

Having spent many hours in various cancer units at the bedside of my grandson and my sister,I observed how many people were affected by cancer - patients, families, extended families, and a vast medical/surgical team. To find a cause, treatment, cure, for this disease is imperative.

I am glad to participate in this study to help with research.

Barry, Werribee VIC

I have taken part in the study to do my small bit to assist cancer research. One of my sisters who had been healthy all her life, at the age of 52 was struck down with ovarian cancer and lasted less than a year.

My father contracted bowel cancer twice although to my knowledge,he lived till 82 and didn't die from it. I have had a colonoscopy every 3 years for the last 20 years or so to minimise my chances of getting bowel cancer. Am now 68 and so far all good.

Jason, Melbourne VIC

My mother and wife have been affected by breast cancer, so it is something that has touched me personally.

My wife is also a researcher, and she regularly reminds me how hard it is to get men in my age bracket/stage of life to participate in studies like this. She pointed me to this study and I figured it was time to stand up and help out.

Information is power, I am glad to give this small contribution to something that will have a powerful outcome, whatever that outcome is.