Today is World Ovarian Cancer Day. It’s also Witchery White Shirt Day – you can purchase a white shirt, designed by St Agni, and profits go to support Ovarian Cancer Research. In the 18 years since it began, the White Shirt Campaign has raised over $18M, funding research including clinical trials.
On Tuesday I attended the Witchery White Shirt Campaign at Witchery HQ.. Melissa Leong hosted, I met Kat Stewart who I’ve been a fan of, and an online friends for years, and we heard from researchers and Vanja Wilson, a survivor.
OCRF CEO, Robin Penty, said that in late 2025, Ovarian Cancer was reclassified as a common cancer, as more women under 44 were being diagnosed with it. I was 42 when diagnosed.
Here’s five things I’d say to myself the night I was told I probably have Ovarian Cancer.
You know your body very well at this age. Well done for persisting to find a reason for the changes in your weight and bowel. Of course it’s a shock that it’s Ovarian Cancer, but a diagnosis is a relief.
You will receive so much support – doctors, nurses, psychologists, dieticians, and organisations like the OCRF and Ovarian Cancer Australia. The government won’t grant you Disability Support Pension though, despite cancer treatment making you even more disabled.
Friends and family will rally. You’ll have so much quality time with them – even at scary and long hospital appointments. But there will be friends who ghost you – those close friends who you contacted at pre-diagnosis have still left you on unread.
Going straight into menopause, skipping perimenopause, is hard. Doing it without Menopause Health Treatment (also known as HRT), because your cancer is hormone receptive, is hard. Discuss menopause with your friends going through perimenopause and menopause, and to your younger friends who will be in future.
You will continue to feel the effects of cancer treatment long after it’s ended. Yoga and Pilates will help, and you’ll make new friends through exercise.
Having Ichthyosis means you’ll be used to medical appointments consuming your time, and your facial difference will strangely prepare you for losing your hair. You’ll love being bald.
More info on the White Shirt Campaign: https://witchery.com.au/white-shirt-campaign/
Images: 1,2,9. Carly wearing a white shirt over a silver mini skirt and black boots, standing near the Witchery wall. 3-4. Carly and Melissa Leong. 5. Carly and Kat Stewart. 6. Carly and Vanja Wilson. 7. Carly and Robin Penty. 8. A large group of people all wearing white shirts..
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