Changing the landscape for women with Gynaecological, Sexual and related Mental Health Issues
I was recently featured in the most recent edition of Finally at 40 Magazine.
To read her story click on the images from left to right.
Special thanks to the crew at Finally at 40 for allowing me to publish the story on my website.
To subscribe to Finally at 40, visit their website now. It’s a great magazine and very inspirational.
I was thrilled to be featured in the Finally at 40 Magazine, Autumn edition 2010.
Special thanks to Hayley Solich, Feature Writer for Finally at 40, who wrote the article and took the photos of me. I really appreciate your ongoing support, Hayley.
You can purchase your copy of Finally at 40 Magazine at a newsagent near you.
Here is an excerpt from the article…
…When most women are stepping into the prime of their life – embracing the newfound sense of themselves and the opportunities that maturity and life experience brings – Kath Mazzella was stepping into dark days. She was an ordinary thirty-nine year old woman – working, with teenage children, and a partner – whose world was literally turned upside down.
Discovering a lump on her vulva, Kath did what most women would do and went to see a doctor. Over a period of eighteen months, two GP’s and two gynaecologists assured her that it was common to have lumps “down there” and not to worry about it. However, because she had a family history of cancer – her father had died of lung cancer in 1988, and both her mother and sister have both had breast cancer – she insisted the lump be removed and tested.
“It was my mum that got me thinking,” Kath reflects. “I told her about the lump and she said that lumps on your body anywhere are not normal. So I decided to listen to my mum and to my own intuition and I’m glad I did because it saved my life…”
It was so exciting to be presented with an order of Australia Medal by the Governor. It is a moment I will treasure forever because it showed me that my sacrifices for all these years had been recognised and appreciated.
Thanks to to those who nominated me for this Award. It is a great turning point for the campaign!
From: Sharon
Sent: Wednesday, 10 February 2010 8:19 AM
To: mazzella@bigpond.com
Subject: RE: World Discussion GYN Health – Call for support – Intern. GYN Aware Day & UK Intern. Gyn Day
Thankyou so much sista for making contact with me today, it was lovely to catch up. You have my 100% support with your push to raise awareness and hopefully impact on prevention of women’s business when it comes to vulva and other cancers. I will certainly be pushing to have our day on 10/9 this year, I’m fairly confident that the management here will support the day with no problems. As I said to you on the phone Kath, you have saved the lives of countless woman because of your dedication to this very important womens health issue called Vulva Cancer. You have given me the knowledge and in turn I have shared this knowledge with women from my community who also have been saved as a result of being empowered to look after their own bodies. What amazes me in society is that its acceptable to people that porn is viewed, looked at or read about in the home or wherever but we shouldn’t talk about Vulva Cancer?????????? Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I say get over it to everyone out there, to the men out there they can do their bit by encouraging their women to take a more active role in looking after their bodies, its in their best interest if you know what I mean. So much work to be done and let me assure you I will always stand beside you on this very important issue Kath. Thankyou for helping me help my community.
Lots of love and warm wishes for continued good health and happiness
Sharon
Kath Mazzella will be speaking at the Princesses in Petticoats & Pearls event organised by Women Can International Inc at the Lily of the Valley Cafe, 78 John Street, Henley Brook.
All women are invited to join Kath at the event.
Watch the video and learn more about this enchanting venue and tempting event.
Kath will be featured in the Autumm Edition (due out in March 2010) of the popular national Women’s Magazine, Finally at 40.
An excerpt from the article…
“…Imagine if you will, doctors, nurses, women, men, politicians, public servants or other community representatives, all sitting across the table, enjoying a cuppa, sharing a scone and their experiences and knowledge. Asking questions, allaying fears, uncovering misconceptions, dispelling stigmas and normalising sexual health. This is the progress I would like to see in my lifetime and I can gratefully say, I am seeing before my eyes. It’s been fifteen years of hard work but I’m so excited to see the shift finally happening.”
Grab a copy when it comes out and read about how Kath discovered cancer on her Vulva and what happened afterwards.
Hosted by Em from 92.9FM radio, the Vulva Awareness Day was an event focused on promoting GYN and Sexual Health Awareness. Kath was guest speaker, alongside of a range of medical professionals. This is her speech.