Eva-Maria, Finland

I got my rare ovarian cancer at the age of 27 when I was an athlete. It was confusing and scary time. 

I felt I needed more information about my rare cancer but I did not get enough of information or support. 

I also got into menopause at the same time and suffering from infertility. All those things are hard to cope with as a young woman. You did not only get cancer, the cancer was rare and then also had to experience menopaus and infertility.

So I needed information and support and at that time I did not get it as much that I wanted. Afterwards I looked for information and support by my self and found it. 

I found out that there are others in the same situation and to talk to peers about what you experienced was important. 

Some years after my own cancer I started to advocate for all cancerpatients and still doing that. To be a patient advocate is important for me, to learn more and to share my knowledge and experinece. I co-founded a gynecological cancer organisation, I am active in different cancerboards and workinggroups around Europe and that gives me a lot of joy.

For me being an active cancer patient advocate I feel that I am on the right place and right road and will continuing that as long as I feel it gives me joy.