Make a difference!

The doctors have given up

- You can make a difference!

This is the story of Tone-Elisabeth Berg (27) and Espen Simonsen (29) two Norwegians who met four years ago, in 2002. Young and in love, they had their future ahead of them, up until march 2004, when Tone was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, stage 3. Tone went through surgery, followed by chemotherapy. After six cures, the doctors found no trace of cancer, and once again the future looked bright. In a check-up in February 2005, however, they found that the cancer was back, and Tone went back on chemotherapy once again, still hoping this would cure her.

Now, one and a half year later, having tried seven different types of chemo therapy, none of which have worked, the doctors have run out of options.

We have established a fund, hoping to be able to try alternative cures, and for Tone and Espen to be able to enjoy the rest of their lives together. The remainder of the fund will be given to the youth group of the Norwegian Cancer Society when Tone dies.

Ovarian cancer
Every year, around 470 Norwegian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The illness is the sixth most common type of cancer among women. Ovarian cancer is more common among women who have not conceived a child, and it has been proven that use of birth control pills reduces the risk. From this it can be drawn that sex hormones, and the number of times a woman has ovulated, can affect the development of the disease.

A small number of women have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer because of a hereditary gene malfunction. Symptoms: it is common that the stomach grows, problems with the stomach /intestines, (nausea, stomach aches, changed "toilet habits").

Development of the disease:
Stage one: The disease is limited to the ovaries.
Stage two: The disease has spread outside the ovaries, but is limited to the pelvis.
Stage three: The disease has spread outside the pelvis.
Stage four: The disease has spread outside the abdomen.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy brakes down all the cells in your body, also the healthy ones. The treatment is normally given every three weeks for six months, intravenously, or as pills. The most common side effects are: fatigue, tiredness, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and hair loss.

You can read more at www.kreftforeningen.no

Facts about the Youth Group of the Norwegian Cancer Society
The Youth Group of the Norwegian Cancer Society is an independent, national organization, run by young volunteers who have or have had cancer. The members are people with cancer, people who have been cured by cancer, and/or their families and friends. Most of the members are between 15 and 35 years old, and the group has about 2300 members. (01.01.04).

The group's aims are:
Improving conditions for young cancer patients and families. Promoting and looking after the youths' social and economic interests. The Youth Group has 13 county groups, which arrange both educational and social activities for its members. The Youth Group runs a national visitation service, where youth visits other youth in the hospital. When you get cancer, many thoughts and questions pop up, which might be helpful to discuss with someone who understands your situation. The visitation service cooperates with the Norwegian Cancer Society's Competence Centre for cancer care in each county.
Read more on: www.ug.no