Tag Archives: Anne Murphy

IRELAND has the highest death rate in Europe from Ovarian cancer, with more than 75% of patients only presenting when the disease is at a late stage. Tulla’s Anne Murphy works as a nurse with Clare Cancer Support and also works on raising awareness of ovarian cancer, having been diagnosed with it ten years ago. “My sister and myself were diagnosed at the same time. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 and my sister Gráinne was diagnosed with late stage. She died 22 months after being diagnosed,” says Anne. Anne herself had her treatment and is still in good health, which she feels is largely down to the disease not having progressed very far by the time of diagnosis. Research was commissioned lately on Irish women’s awareness of the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and some 80% did not recognise the symptoms, a statistic Anne describes as “very stark”. To try and push home what people should look for, an acronym …

A SURVIVOR of ovarian cancer has paid tribute to her late sister on what would have been her 50th birthday. Anne Murphy, a nurse from Tulla, is also urging other women to be aware of the symptoms, as World Ovarian Cancer Day is marked on Saturday. While Anne’s cancer was found early, her sister Gráinne was at stage four when her condition was diagnosed. “Tragically, Gráinne passed away before her 42nd birthday,” said Anne. “She had been attending various doctors for two years and when she was finally diagnosed, her cancer was terminal. Ovarian cancer presents with symptoms that are often put down to other conditions, from endometriosis to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Gráinne had had a baby six months previously and she was told her symptoms were connected to pregnancy.” Gráinne’s diagnosis was, in many ways, the catalyst for the detection of Anne’s own condition. “After Gráinne’s cancer was discovered, I went back to my own doctor and asked …

A TULLA-based oncology nurse, and ovarian cancer survivor, is urging women not to ignore the warning signs of gynaecological cancers. Anne Murphy, who is a member of the team at Clare Cancer Support, said that research shows many women are not aware of symptoms and don’t seek medical advice in time. “Early diagnosis is so important for a good prognosis,” Ms Murphy said. “I myself was diagnosed with early stage ovarian cancer in 2012.” The call comes ahead of World Gynaecologic Oncology Day on Sunday, when a number of buildings, including The Rock of Cashel and The National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) will light up in purple. “Clare Cancer Support are delighted to participate in this World Awareness Day,” Ms Murphy said, which is about raising awareness of gynaecological cancers, cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulval. Womens’ gynaecological cancers are poorly represented in the public arena and this needs to change. Most gynaecological cancers have symptoms but research has …