Laura Celina Gasse

“Painting emerged as quickly as I was diagnosed with cancer. It was quiet, there was no warning signs.

A gynecological cancer at 20 years old, and I didn't know it yet, but repeated surgeries.

Ovarian cancer affects women without the symptoms being able to alarm us. These are pains we have to endure every day, “normal” pains, stomachaches, fatigue that we are taught to hush up because they become part of our new daily life.

I started painting at the same time as the disease occurred. I have always put myself in its hands and it has played a big role in my remission, for 18 months now precisely. I have not stopped painting since then, on all media.

Blue chose me to atone for all these feelings and this fight. Blue is infinity, the all and the sweetness of hope. I had no idea that “Teal September” was dedicated to gynecological cancers. Chance would have it, and art saves us from our ills.

Today I present you my blue paintings in all simplicity, for a cause that means a lot to me. At 26 years old, I feel lucky to have been supported by these nonprofits, which help both patients and caregivers, all these superheroes I would like to thank. I insist that if my mother hadn't forced me to go see my doctor, I wouldn't be here today. Go to the gynecologist once a year and do not hesitate to ask questions.

To be engaged, enraged. I am thinking about all these women, but also about these too often forgotten men affected by gynecological cancers. Cancer has no gender, it has no age. Painting and art are universal. I paint because I live.

If you are moved by a painting, please do not thank me, but help all these doctors, these nonprofits who need you, us.”

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IMAGYN

IMAGYN is a French nonprofit created in 2014 by 10 patients suffering from ovarian cancer. They have 5 missions around gynecological diseases: raise awareness, share, support, inform, and help advance research. As we entered “Teal September”, gynecological cancer awareness month, we would like to support their missions and educate about this disease.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of the female cancers. Most women are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread, making it more difficult to treat. There are often delays in diagnosing the disease, as there is no early detection test, and symptoms are often confused with other, less severe, illnesses. Ovarian cancer is overlooked and underfunded – yet every woman is at risk.

Ovarian cancer is a cancer arising from the cells in and around the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It forms when there are abnormalities in normal ovarian cell growth. New cells grow unnecessarily, and old and damaged cells fail to die away, causing a build-up that forms a tumour or growth. Those growths have genetic mutations that cause them to multiply.

Five important facts to know:

A Pap test (cervical smear test) does not detect ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage
Diagnosing Ovarian cancer before it spreads makes it much more treatable
Symptom awareness might lead to quicker diagnosis
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent bloating
- Difficulty eating
- Feeling full quickly
- Pelvic/abdominal pain
- Urinary symptoms

Detection and testing:

There is no routine, simple screening test to accurately detect ovarian cancer. That is why being aware of ovarian cancer and its symptoms are important. If you have signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, speak to your doctor. The pathway to diagnosis includes: