WINNER – Best New Podcast at Australian Podcast Awards
On The Down Low – Season 1: ovarian cancer is where the conversation begins.
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest cancer affecting Australian women today. Every year, more than 1,800 women are diagnosed – that’s around five women every day – and tragically, three women die each day from the disease. Nearly half of those diagnosed won’t survive beyond five years, a survival rate that has remained stagnant for over 50 years. That’s why we made this podcast. To share real stories, start honest conversations, and bring people together to support better outcomes for women.
This six-part season shares the raw and powerful stories of women living with ovarian cancer, and the people who love and care for them. Hosted by Alison Dance, the season follows the stories of a real ovarian cancer experience, from symptoms and diagnosis to treatment, relationships, finances, recurrence, and advocacy. It also explores the specific challenges faced by regional and younger women, and the role of research, clinical trials, and advocacy has in shaping a better future.
Every voice featured in this season belongs to someone who has lived through ovarian cancer or supported a loved one through it. Together, their stories challenge stigma, spark conversation, and call for greater awareness, funding, and change.
Season 1 was celebrated by the Australian Podcast Awards which celebrate the nation’s best audio talent and creativity. The season was awarded Best New Podcast, was also nominated for Best Health & Wellness Podcast, and was a finalist in the 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
This season was made possible thanks to support from Westfield Sydney, through the 2021 Local Heroes program. As the winner of the award, ANZGOG’s former STS National Manager Dr Helen Gooden directed the $10,000 prize towards producing this first season.
Listen here:
Available episodes
TRAILER on On The Down Low | 3mins | 28 April 2022
Join Alison Dance as she speaks to women with ovarian cancer and their carers, sharing raw and inspiring stories. A powerful call for advocacy, awareness and change, this podcast encourages the health conversations women need to have. Join the call for change today #OnTheDownLowPodcast. On The Down Low is available on all major podcast apps from May 8 2022.
Women’s Intuition: Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis | 28mins | 8 May 2022
Welcome to season one of ‘On The Down Low – Speaking up about Ovarian Cancer’. It’s known as ‘the silent killer’ and when ovarian cancer is finally discovered, it’s usually in the very advanced stages. Why? There are many reasons – no early detection test, subtle symptoms, a lack of awareness… and maybe our reluctance to talk about vaginas. In today’s episode, Women’s Intuition – Symptoms & Diagnosis, we’ll share with you four very different stories of how women can come to discover they have ovarian cancer.
Whiplash: Treatment and Side Effects | 23mins | 15 May 2022
In our first episode, we heard about the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. The gradual onset of fatigue, bloating, weight changes, and irregular bleeding. While the initial development of ovarian cancer is often covert, once it is identified, it is full steam ahead into treatment. For Alison’s mother, Pauline, and many others, that meant immediate major surgery.
New Reality – Living With Cancer | 26mins | 22 May 2022
The impact of a cancer diagnosis extends far beyond the changes to one’s body. Along with the physical toll from surgery and treatment comes profound changes to one’s lifestyle and relationships.
Shades of Teal – Nuances of Ovarian Cancer | 28mins | 29 May 2022
When it comes to treating women with ovarian cancer, it is not a one size fits all approach and there are several types of this disease.
In this episode, we hear how people with all their wonderous differences experience ovarian cancer, including regional and working women; those with a rare ovarian cancer type or BRCA positive; and those with a little hope or those with a lot.
Knife Edge – recurrance, research & clinical trials | 30mins | 6 June 2022
Recurrence or cancer progression. It’s a seed of fear planted for many women after finishing ovarian cancer treatment. After a whirlwind of diagnosis and treatment, you finally catch breath only to learn there’s a very real risk your cancer could come back.
In this episode, we discuss moving forward when it comes to recurrence, research, and clinical trials.
What Women Want: Hope & Advocacy | 26mins | 12 June 2022
Every year, 1700 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and less than half of them will survive five years after diagnosis. In this episode, we discuss hope, advocacy, and education initiatives that women are driving to make a difference to the lives of other women affected by ovarian cancer, both now and in the future.
This podcast comes with a content warning for anyone affected by cancer. We cover heavy topics and themes, so if anything of concern comes up for you please call the recommended support line below. We also deal with a lot of medical talk – this isn’t health advice. If anything stands out to you check in with a trusted health professional.
Cancer Council Information Line – 13 11 20
On the down low is brought to you by ANZGOG – the peak national gynaecological cancer research organisation for Australia and New Zealand – who improve life for women through cancer research. Visit the information below to learn how you can join the cause and help improve life for women affected by gynaecological cancer.
The survivors and caregivers featured in this podcast are volunteers for ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students program. The Survivors Teaching Students program is under license to ANZGOG from the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance in the USA.
Meet the cast
“This is my body, it let me down but it’s beautiful still, with its scar.” Caitlin, NSW
Caitlin is an IVF Scientist from Sydney, who has established and managed top IVF clinics around the world for the past 20+ years. In 2017, at age 39, Caitlin was diagnosed with stage 4 clear cell ovarian cancer, when her daughters were just two and four years old.
Caitlin’s unique dual insight as both a patient and healthcare professional enable her to be a vocal advocate for patients. She has delivered numerous inspiring and engaging presentations, including to the Prime Minister at Parliament House, and was a presenter and Regional Coordinator for ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students program when it first started in Australia.
As a mother of young children, Caitlin says one of the biggest challenges of living with advanced cancer is managing the constant uncertainty and anxiety whilst hanging onto hope. Caitlin is a fierce advocate for increased awareness, funding for research, methods of earlier detection, and better understanding of all ovarian cancers. She is particularly passionate about improving equity across the cancer care continuum, as she has had to fight for off label treatments which are currently saving her life.
“A diagnosis of ovarian cancer is not something that can be hidden.” Jacinta, NSW
Jacinta is a psychotherapist and mother of two adult children who lives in Sydney. Following a sudden onset of abdominal swelling over three days in 2019 where “I could no long wear my jeans nor any other fitted clothing,” Jacinta was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer on her 59th birthday. Jacinta is a passionate advocate for ovarian cancer research, benefiting firsthand from improvements in treatment with a PARP inhibitor that is currently keeping her cancer from recurring. Jacinta is committed to raising the awareness of women and medical professionals, especially GPs, about this lethal disease and is a volunteer presenter with ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students program.
“I’m going to do this on my own terms.” Pauline, NSW
Pauline is a mother of three, two daughters and a son, and lives in the regional community of Griffith, NSW. She taught primary school for 38 years and was a scout leader for 20 years. Pauline was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer with “a tumour the size of a coffee cup” at the age of 63 – her symptoms felt like a vaginal prolapse. Before her diagnosis, Pauline and her family had not heard of ovarian cancer. Like many women, Pauline believed a pap smear checked for all gynaecological cancers. Pauline has always been an active community member and is committed to raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Her mission now is to encourage women to notice potential symptoms and get checked if something doesn’t feel right.
“There are grounds for more optimism.” Kristin, NSW
Kristin has been living with ovarian cancer for the last 13 years after being diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer at the age of 47. At the time, Kristin was a psychologist in the public sector and enjoying a busy life with plenty of social events, travel and adventure activities. Kristin says her cancer journey has been unfolding in parallel with new approaches to treatment, which offer hope for longer life and, most importantly, a better quality of life living with the disease. Kristin is a long-time volunteer with ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students program and is dedicated to using her experience to help others to better understand ovarian cancer “so we can provide hope for the future for women living with this disease”.
“I was really numb, this is really happening.” Gautami, NSW
Gautami is a 24-year-old occupational therapist who grew up in New Zealand, was born in India and now resides in Sydney. Eleven years ago, Gautami was diagnosed with stage 3B ovarian cancer at the age of 13. Though she had been experiencing symptoms for some time, Gautami says she felt too ashamed to say anything because “I had never really had general conversations about my body to anyone before when I felt healthy, so when something felt wrong it was even harder to speak out”. Gautami believes a lack of awareness and stigma associated with gynaecological cancers should not be a barrier to early detection. She is determined to share her story to bring about change and is a strong advocate for addressing disparities in health outcomes. Gautami is a presenter with ANZGOG’s Survivor’s Teaching Students Program.
“If your friend is going through this – be there for them – just listen – you can’t fix it.” Clare, WA
Clare and Mark are passionate advocates for raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and the importance of early detection following Clare’s difficult path to a diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2016 at the age of 47. Originally from Scotland, Clare and Mark now live in Western Australia and have been tireless volunteers for ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students program, with Clare taking on the role of Regional Coordinator for WA, and Mark sharing his experience as a caregiver. Throughout the podcast series they share their unique perspectives on living with ovarian cancer – from Clare as a survivor facing the challenges of ongoing treatment, and Mark as a dedicated caregiver, a role that is often hidden in the health system, yet so vital.
“You only see the tip of the iceberg – people don’t see what’s underneath.” Mark, WA
Clare and Mark are passionate advocates for raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and the importance of early detection following Clare’s difficult path to a diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2016 at the age of 47. Originally from Scotland, Clare and Mark now live in Western Australia and have been tireless volunteers for ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students program, with Clare taking on the role of Regional Coordinator for WA, and Mark sharing his experience as a caregiver. Throughout the podcast series they share their unique perspectives on living with ovarian cancer – from Clare as a survivor facing the challenges of ongoing treatment, and Mark as a dedicated caregiver, a role that is often hidden in the health system, yet so vital.
“My 1st memoir is going to be called: “I love my wig!” Ann, ACT
Ann is a wife, mother of two adult children, and a grandmother of five – a self-confessed ‘failed retiree’ who keeps busy volunteering and managing ministry groups. Ann was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2016 at the age of 64 when she was feeling like “one of the healthiest and ‘fit for my age’ women you have ever met”. Ann discovered ANZGOG’s Survivors Teaching Students (STS) Program while looking for support online. Until Ann became involved in STS, she had not met any other ovarian cancer survivors and says being able to share stories with like-minded people is a wonderful part of the journey. STS initially welcomed Ann as a presenter, but her warm enthusiasm quickly saw her step up to her current role as Regional Coordinator for the ACT/Western NSW where she is rapidly expanding the program.
PRESENTED BY
ALISON DANCE:
Alison is an advocate for ovarian cancer research, women’s advancement and improved outcomes for regional Australians. She has more than a decade of experience in the media and communications industry and generously volunteers for ANZGOG, using her expertise.
Her Mum, Pauline, is an ovarian cancer survivor and features in this podcast.
PRODUCED BY
NYASHA NYAKUENGAMA
Nyasha is the founder of StoryStack. An award-winning creative producer, he specialises in authentic, story-led content.
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