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Claire & Peter Reaburn | More Locals

17th February 2022
Article by Claire Holmes

Claire & Peter Reaburn – Main Beach Villagers

Claire’s story may resonate with a few of our Villagers as you too may be battling an illness. Claire is happy to share with us her journey and with the support of her husband Peter and daughter’s Rebecca and Megan, is managing to live life to the fullest that she can.

Peter is riding 900KM over 9 Days in the  RIDE FOR RESEARCH  from 30 April – 8 May 2022 to raise funds for vital ovarian cancer research – WOW GO PETER!

“My name is Claire Reaburn. I have been married for 33 years and have two daughters aged 26 and 29. I have a very rare form of ovarian cancer known as Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour.

I was diagnosed with juvenile granulosa cell tumour in 2012 at the age of 52. An unwanted world record for being the oldest female diagnosed with juvenile granulosa cell tumour. I went to my family Doctor with a feeling that all my insides were going to fall through my vagina. She did an examination and suspected ovarian cancer. My gynaecologist in Rockhampton who performed the surgery in 2012 to remove my left ovary, happily informed us it was not cancer. BUT ….. Juvenile granulosa cell tumour is such a rare cancer that many doctors know nothing about it and do not realise it is a cancer.

In 2013 I had a complete hysterectomy and that is when they found further microscopic cells indicating juvenile granulosa cell tumour. Thus began my journey of living with this rare cancer. After 7 surgeries, several drugs and four months of chemotherapy in 8 years, I have survived. I have learnt to cope living my life in 3-month blocks. Blood tests need to be done every three months. The wait for the results can be stressful. Knowing that the results will either give you a reprieve for another 3 months or confirm the sad reality that the cancer is back, and new treatment options need to be explored.

There are many options but unfortunately, they are designed for breast or prostate cancer, not for juvenile granulosa cell tumour. Because this cancer is so rare there is virtually no research, so doctors and specialist oncologists are left prescribing treatments that are their “best guess”.

Rare Ovarian Cancer incorporated was started out of desperation by a passionate, go getting single Mum who knew the only way to save her daughter’s life was to seek research funds. Tasha’s daughter was diagnosed with juvenile granulosa cell tumour at the age of 16. A hysterectomy, estrogen blocking drugs, chemotherapy, osteoporosis, multiple surges, infertility, and shortened life span are not what a mother wants for her 16-year-old daughter. Juvenile granulosa cell tumour strikes females at any age. At the ripe old age of 11 months little Neve from NSW is another female struck with this disease. There are 6 of us females in Australia diagnosed with juvenile granulosa cell tumour. 

Recently, due to the hard work of Rare Ovarian Cancer Incorporated, a grant was given to the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne to investigate juvenile granulosa cell tumour. The first research of its kind in the world, where Dr Simon Chu and his fellow researchers to analyse our individual tumours molecular makeup. Just to uncover our entire molecular make up costs $10,000. We keep our fingers crossed that something will be uncovered that will improve the treatment and survival of females with juvenile granulosa cell tumour.

 Do you feel bloated all the time, have you lost or gained weight, is your tummy sticking out a little more than normal, have you been constipated for many months or have your bowel habits changed? These are some of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. However, they are also very common everyday complaints and signs and symptoms of other conditions. We as women with these signs and symptoms just accept these things as normal. For this very reason therefore, that ovarian cancer is so deadly. Because it is usually picked up at a very late stage.

The chances of a female still being alive 5 years after late-stage diagnosis of ovarian cancer is 29%. Sadly, 2 out of 3 females with ovarian cancer diagnosis at any stage will die from it and only 46% will live beyond 5 years after diagnosis. Nobody wants to be one of those statistics. Go see your Doctor and ask for an explanation for why you might have one of these symptoms, and if you are not satisfied insist on an ultrasound scan of your abdomen and vaginal areas.

I hope I have made you a little more aware of ovarian cancer. Please do not panic because you are constipated, you may just need to drink more water or eat more fibre. If your tummy is poking out more than normal it may be that dreaded middle age spread. But as women, we know our own body and what it should be doing. If you are unsure, a quick visit to your Doctor will usually sort out the problem.” 

“My wife Claire has the dubious honour of being the oldest women in the world to have Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour (JGCT), a very rare form of ovarian cancer.

I’ve been involved in sports since childhood. Initially it was swimming at club then state and national level in surf lifesaving. I played Rugby Union during winter, swam and surfed all year round and competed in surf lifesaving during summer. An active childhood and youth. Later in life I immersed myself in masters swimming then triathlon winning several state age-group titles in long course. In 2005 I won the 50-54 yr age group National Ironman championship that qualified me to fulfill my long held dream of completing and competing in the Hawaii Ironman. It was during this time that my love of road racing and cycling took hold. Easier on the aging body, social, and very good for the head being out there early mornings and enjoying the rhythms of riding.

After graduating with a Health and Physical Education degree I taught PE for 6 years in Ipswich, Longreach and the Gold Coast. I then went back to Uni and completed a PhD in Sport Science, my lifelong passion. I then embarked on an academic career teaching and researching at The University of Queensland (6 years), Central Queensland University in Rockhampton (20 years), and Bond University (5 years) where I recently finished my career as Professor and Head of Exercise and Sport Science.

Claire and I have two children, Rebecca (29) and Megan (26), both happy, healthy, confident, and well-adjusted young women.

Life throws curve balls at us. Claire’s diagnosis with Rare Ovarian Cancer (ROC) in 2014 took us by surprise given we lived a very active and healthy lifestyle. We learnt quickly that nothing is known about Claire’s JGCT. Retirement has given me time to put my love of fitness and cycling to a positive cause. Riding for Research with great support of ROC Incorporated (ROCInc), raising awareness of Ovarian Cancer in females, and helping Claire, my wife of 34 years and mother of our children.”

If you would like to support and donate to Rare Ovarian Cancer Incorporated, please click on the link in the button below.

Because there is so little research happening your donation will have a major impact on what Dr Simon Chu discovers. Your funds WILL, not probably, but WILL, enable little Neve and others with juvenile granulosa cell tumour to live a much longer and more fulfilled life.

Crickey I almost forgot: Do you wanna help us spread the villager word? Sign up to become an ambassador and you’ll get a special URL to share the Villager vibe, and sign up your friends.

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There nothing better than great company
Thanks heaps
Steve

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