A small, hard lump in her belly button was the only warning sign for Irene Koulogeorgiou.
She almost ignored it.
Instead, she booked a GP appointment within the week, a decision that would ultimately save her life.
This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Mercy Health is urging Australians to tune into subtle changes in their bodies and seek medical advice early, as ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague and easily dismissed.
When Irene’s GP saw the lump, she was sent straight to the hospital. Scans and a biopsy confirmed stage four ovarian cancer.
“I didn’t have what people think of as ‘classic’ symptoms,” Irene said. “It would have been easy to brush it off. I’m so grateful I didn’t.”
Ovarian cancer has no screening test. Nearly 2,000 Australians are diagnosed each year, and fewer than half will survive beyond five years, according to Cancer Australia, largely because the disease is detected at an advanced stage.
Medical oncologist and gynaecological clinical trial lead at Mercy Health and Austin Health, Dr Prachi Bhave, says the early signs can be deceptively mild.
“Symptoms are often subtle and easy to overlook, especially when life is busy,” Dr Bhave said.
“Feeling full quickly, ongoing bloating, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight loss can all be signals to get checked. Women are often used to pushing through discomfort, but persistent change deserves attention.”
Within weeks of diagnosis, Irene began chemotherapy. She underwent three surgeries and six rounds of treatment.
“Some days were incredibly tough,” she said. “But my team at Mercy became like a second family. Their calm confidence and kindness helped me keep showing up, treatment after treatment.”
Today, Irene has no detectable cancer and is being closely monitored.
Her message to other women is simple: “If something feels off, don’t wait. Make the appointment. Ask the question. It might feel small, but it could change everything.”
Dr Bhave says there is growing reason for hope. Mercy Health is involved in clinical trials exploring new treatments and investigating pathways toward earlier detection.
“Research is moving quickly. While we don’t yet have a screening test, advances in therapies and ongoing trials could soon make it a reality. Treatment is constantly improving, giving women more options than ever before,” she said.
Irene Koulogeorgiou
