Kath

My name is Kath Mazzella and I survived gynaecological cancer, diagnosed when I was 39 years old. After my surgery, I discovered how little women know and talk about conditions ‘down there' and I decided to do something about it. Since then I have established the Gynaecological Awareness Information Network Inc (GAIN) which has a good web site and has informed thousands of women about gynaecological and sexual health.

My passion now is to help save and improve the quality of life for all women by encouraging us to speak openly about ‘below the belt' issues so that we don't suffer in silence.

My biggest challenge

When I first discovered the lump on my vulva, I went straight to the doctor.  I was told that it was common to have lumps ‘down there' and not to worry. However, I persisted. My father had died of lung cancer and both my mother and my two sisters had mastectomies. Finally the lump was removed and tested and I had radical surgery on my vulva which involved removing my clitoris, vulva and lymph glands.

My journey with cancer was made worse by the fact that I lived in a world that didn't, and still doesn't, publicly discuss gynaecology.

I had been a woman who lived with shame and embarrassment about my own body, and I didn't understand what could go wrong. Now I am a woman who loves her body, mind, soul and life. Learning how to turn my own personal pain into something that would help other women become more aware of their responsibility for managing their own health has been my biggest challenge.

What helped me overcome adversity

I stay confident by focussing on my passion. My confidence builds each time I see women celebrating the International GYN Awareness Day and realising that they, their mothers, sisters, daughters and friends can GAIN from this day.

I overcame my loss of confidence by:

• Facing the truth and learning where shame and embarrassment come from
• Questioning what is right and what is wrong
• Realising that I have a voice that must be used during my time on this earth
• Lobbying the Government through my not-for-profit organisation which led to a Senate Enquiry and a National Gynaecological Cancer Centre and
• Writing to women's organisations and people at the top for their support.

The things that helped me most were:

• Sharing with others and seeing the transformation in women.
• Finding a way to turn my experiences into something valuable through my vision of an International GYN Awareness Day.

It is good to get to know who you are and where your passion is in life. You can pass your knowledge on and see others progress. That is success.

GAIN was established in 2001, to:

• Assist women to find the information they need to make the right health choices, and to provide support as they face these, often, life-changing challenges;
• Encourage healthcare professionals to be more sensitive, and responsive, to the needs of women with gynaecological conditions, and the effects these conditions may have on their sexuality;
• Provide community education to promote awareness of gynaecological health in the hope of achieving early detection, correct diagnosis and effective treatment options;
• Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all resources available; and
• Establish and celebrate an International Gynaecological Awareness Day on the 10th of September every year.

Kath appeals to all women and women's groups to celebrate International GYN Awareness Day. She is more than happy to liaise with you and discuss how you can go about doing this.  Her contact details are on the GAIN web site.