In memory of Deborah – For the early detection of ovarian cancer

My sister Deborah, who we all called Beba, lived for 30 years with a rare cancer: low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC).

She was diagnosed at just 19.
In July 2025, at the age of 49, Beba left us.

The drama of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer”, because it is usually diagnosed too late.

Approximately 85% of women receive their diagnosis at an advanced stage (Stage III or IV).
In these stages, treatments are invasive and survival prospects are drastically reduced.

This happens because the initial symptoms are vague and non-specific (bloating, mild pain, digestive discomfort) and, to date, there are no reliable screening tests.

If the diagnosis could be made at an early stage, surgery and treatments would be far more effective, and life expectancy would change radically.

A research project that can change everything

At the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group (GCRG) at UNSW, inside the Lowy Cancer Research Centre in Sydney, a team led by Professor Caroline Ford, with Dr Kristina Warton as research program manager, is working on a real breakthrough:
a simple blood test for the early detection of ovarian cancer.

The test is based on the analysis of circulating tumour DNA (cell-free DNA).
Researchers have already identified three epigenetic biomarkers, which will be combined into a single sensitive and specific test.

The goal is ambitious: to bring this test to clinical trials by 2026.

Want to learn more about the Early Detection project and the team behind it?
You can find their research here:

 gyncancerresearch.org/early-detection

What wasn’t there for Deborah

When Beba was diagnosed, this test didn’t exist.
Thirty years have passed, and still today there is no diagnostic test capable of detecting ovarian cancer early.

This research was created to fill exactly that gap.
For me, it is a way to turn pain into action:
that what wasn’t possible for my sister may become possible for other women.

How to support Early Detection research

There are three concrete ways to contribute:

• Donate directly to UNSW → You can donate through the official GCRG campaign website, and your contribution will go directly to the laboratory led by Dr. Warton.
• Through SigmaBitAd → A portion of the proceeds from my Focus&Calm mugs will go to research into the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, in memory of Beba — so that her smile may live on in the future of other women.
• Through the “Ovaries. Talk About Them.” campaign → By purchasing t-shirts, sweatshirts or bags from the Camilla&MARc collection, you support the Early Detection project with a 100% donation.

A gesture that becomes hope

I cannot change what happened to Deborah.
But together, we can offer new possibilities to other women.

Whether you choose to donate, purchase, or share this initiative, you will be part of this change.

Beba’s name will live on — not only in my memory, but in every life that might be saved thanks to early detection.