Changing the landscape for women with Gynaecological, Sexual and related Mental Health Issues
#VIVALAVULVA …………
A huge shout out to the organisers and Medical professionals to bring launch this day. As a survivor of a radical vulvectomy 25 years ago I am more than elated about this. I simply don’t want 1 more women to have to endure this without have the knowledge to protect themselves. www.issvd.org/event/vulvar-cancer-awareness-day LET’S KEEP THIS THING MOVING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBjJ5tXmlao
Here is an update of undies campaign. https://www.kathmazzella.com/2019/09/international-gynaecological-awareness-day-celebration-progress/
Quinns Rock Senior Citizens Club created for the International Gynaecological Awareness Day. This was displayed at Clarkson Library on IGAD. The interest was amazing with many questions asked. “Keep up the good work. We, the ladies from the Indoor Bowling Club at Quinns Rocks, were thrilled to be a part of your special invitation to create more community awareness”
Soroptimist International Albany Image via North Albany Senior High School and Albany Library
Pelvic Roar UK
Vulval Pain Awareness UK
Chapels Teahouse
King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women WA
Fifty, Fit and Feisty
Fremantle Women’s Health
Noranda Craft Group
Zoe Brest Physiotherapy much appreciated for your support.
Miscellaneous area in women’s restrooms, hotels, cafes
As a Gynaecological Cancer survivor and recognizing millions of women with GYN and related mental health issues, I am pleased to say the world is changing.
After 25 years of lobbying as an advocate to create a voice and conversations for global women enduring Gynaecological Health issues the time is now right to celebrate our magnificent bodies and our cycle of life. So now I encourage you to forward this flyer far and wide to use cardboard cut out undies as a tool to promote “Undies for Better Understanding” and create a community groundswell to give women and men greater opportunities to help save lives or life time health complications.
Celebrate the International Gynaecological Awareness Day in your corner of the globe. It’s easy! All you need to do is create a cardboard cut out undies shape and decorate them. Then hang them somewhere prominent and have a conversation with people about gynaecology and related mental health issues.
The conversation could go something like this…
…Happy Gynae Day.
…Do you like my undies?
…Where’s your undies?
…You show me yours and I’ll show you mine (cardboard undies of course)
You could put your undies…
– On the back of a toilet door
– On the work noticeboard
– On the kiosk wall at school
– On the university noticeboard
– On the shopping centre noticeboard
– On the table at the next meeting
– On the work fridge
– On the home fridge
– On the shop window
– On the reading table in waiting rooms
– On your car window
The list is endless.
Business owners…promote your business by obtaining some undies from Kath Mazzella and adding your business information to the back. You can hand out to customers and demonstrate your support of women all around the globe who are living with gynaecological and associated mental health challenges.
Think about it…
Every person, male or female, has a woman in their world somewhere. Guaranteed, that woman will face a gynaecological challenge of some sort at some point in their life. Show her you care by being a listening ear, showing her you have her back and stand with women in their time of need.
If you are an action person – gather people and host an event. Find out more by visiting http://
If you do celebrate, please take a photo of your handiwork and post it on the Undies for Better Understanding Facebook wall or email to kath.mazzella@bigpond.com and we will post them on the website.
Join our event and watch the Facebook live posts on the day.
As recipient of Zonta Women of Achievement Award 2005 and receiving great support from Zonta over the years it was great to see other leaders standing up and sharing the importance of gynaecological health at my presentation at this Zonta dinner, below is their response. I look forward to see progress in the global community.
Zonta Club of Perth Northern Suburbs Inc
At our Club dinner on Wednesday night, our guest speaker, Kath Mazzella OAM, spoke on a very interesting topic “Up Front & Personnel” on gynaecological health. Women’s gynaecological health should be discussed as an awareness sake for other women and that we should not be afraid or ashamed to talk about.
You can learn more about her desire to speak up for the millions of voiceless women, the ones who suffer in silence with Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovaries, Fibroids, GYN Cancers, Infertility, Prolapse Uterus, and so many more Gynaecological and Sexual Health conditions through this link: https://www.kathmazzella.com/
Interview with Jane Hebiton on RTR FM 92.1 to hear interview go to https://rtrfm.com.au/story/viva-la-vulva-with-kath-mazzella/
I recently met Jane and we clicked straightaway I love the way she can get my message across in a fun light hearted way. I need to find another thousand of you.
The Gynaecological Health message is truly getting around
#gynhealth #vulva #women
https://www.stivesretirementliving.com.au/thrive-magazine/thrive-magazine-latest-issue/
MY VULVA CANCER JOURNEY – by Lyn Ellard
January 2017 I had a L) Hernia operation, all went well and recovery was good. In February 2017 I developed an itchy burning in what I now know as the Vulva area, I went to my GP. on another matter but told her about the symptoms I had, she asked me to do a urine sample which I did. A few days later my GP phoned me to say I had a bladder Infection and she would leave a prescription at the reception desk for me to get anti biotics and some Canesten cream. The antibiotics and cream did help for a while, but the itching and Burning still continued.
Over the months each time I went to the GP complaining of the same symptoms only to be given script for Canesten cream which I would get over the counter at the chemist attached to the Medical Centre. Sometime later in the year I noticed on the R) side of the Vulva it was very sore and felt like there was an open sore, sometime it would bleed.
Being a women and 76 years old I took the word of the GP that it must be a bladder infection and just continued on, I would use Vaseline, Canesten cream and yoghurt to ease the pain especially when I had to go to the toilet.
Never in all the times I visited my GP and complained of my systems did she ever suggest an examination of the vulva area, over the summer months it became so painful that if I was home I would go without snickers as it was comfortable without them.
It was in March after I returned from a holiday that it got so bad I could not take any more of the pain, and I had a feeling it was not just a bladder infection it had also started to swell up above the hair line of the area.
On the 29th March I went to see a new GP at the same medical centre as my usual GP was not available, she did examine me, said the vulva area on the R) side was ulcerated and not a good colour, had to do a urine test and she also took swabs.
Went back for results on the 4th April 2018, the results were all ok, but she gave me a referral see a Gynaecologist at Murdoch, the Gynaecologist phoned me to say he was referring me to a Gynaecologist/Oncologist.
On the 17th April in the evening I developed a lump in my R) groin and it was painful, in the morning the lump had moved up to the top of the groin. I made an appointment to see the new GP. She took one look and sent me to Fiona Stanley Hospital.
At the hospital they did an Ultra Sound and CT Scan. As I wanted my own surgeon I had to be transferred to SJOG Hospital Murdoch. I was admitted there on the 18th April. While I was there they did more test and also did a biopsy of the Vulva area. I was a patient for 4 days.
While in the hospital the Gynaecologist/oncologist visited me and an appointment was made to see him in his rooms on the 4th May. I received a call from the Surgeon to come and see him still not thinking much about it.
I saw him on the 26th April. My daughter Amanda came with me, he was very nice about everything, he said the results from the Biopsy was that I had R) Lymph node cancer and he said they think the Primary started in the Vulva, many people asked me how I felt, I think I just had a numb feeling and I let Amanda ask all the question she was and has been my rock over this time.
I visited the Gynaecologist/Oncologist on the 4th May, he did a biopsy under a local anesthetic in the surgery it was very painful but it needed to be done quickly. He told me the vulva area was the primary and the R) Lymph Node area was the secondary. Because I already suffer from Lymphedema he was hoping to only remove some of the lymph nodes.
I was admitted to SJOG Murdoch hospital on the 14th May. I had a R) Vulva operation where they removed all the Vulva. All the R) lymph nodes had all joined together to form a ball so I had to have all R) Lymph Nodes removed, I became very upset and angry about it all especially with the G.P. as had she checked it out sooner I may not have had to have such major surgery. I spent 13 days in hospital. I was told I would have to have chemo and Radiotherapy. After coming home from hospital every morning for 5 weeks I had to have Health Care then Silver chain to come and give me a blood thinner injection into the stomach and a flush for the vulva area.
On the 13th June I had a PET scan this had to be done before I started my Chemo/Radiotherapy treatment, it was done at SJOG Hospital Subiaco.
I started my chemo on Monday 2nd July, I have to have chemo at SJOG Hospital Murdoch every Monday for 6 weeks. Tuesday 3rd July I started my Radiotherapy at Fiona Stanley Hospital this is every day (Monday to Friday) for 6 weeks. During the Radiotherapy some days I just did not want to go and had to push myself through the treatment, it was a very stressful 6 weeks.
It was after the 4th treatment that I became very unwell in the evening, Tom (Husband) drove me to SJOG Murdoch emergency department, I was admitted to hospital for 4 days with a chest infection, I had to still go to my Radiotherapy and that week I only missed 1 appointment. I am still struggling with it all and have my angry moments towards my GP but getting better at it all.
On the 8th October I went to SJOG Hospital Subiaco for a final PET and CT scan.
Went to S.JOG Murdoch on Wednesday 10th October for my appointment with the Chemo Specialist o get my results from the PET scan. What a wonderful feeling when the Specialist told me all was good, feeling so blessed and happy with the results. I have a small node on the lungs but the specialist is not concerned at this time. I will go back to see him in February 2019 and have a CT scan before I see him. I feel a heavy load has been lifted and I can now look forward to a happy life ahead.
My advice to all women, you have the right to ask for an examination or a second opinion. If by writing my story I can save one person from what I have had to go through it is all worth it.
Yaay!!! World famous Kath Mazzella will be speaking to us at SI World Convention 2019 in Kuala Lumpur 19-21 July. Author of “Not So Secret Women’s Business”, A leading advocate on gynaecological awareness and a cancer survivor, Kath will tackle women’s “down under” issues with passion, humour and facts!!! Come and join us for a Vulva-lous time. 
We have among us many advocates for female wellness, reproductive health and sexuality! Siew Yong Gnanalingam Rochelle Courtenay Tehmina Kaoosji Aishah Hoo Sheela Chandran Kavidha Natarajan Elmarié Potgieter Debbie Pozzobon Kim Fong and more. Sign up today at www.siconventionkl2019.org”