Wellington City councillor Andrea Compton revealed during a council committee meeting that her ovarian cancer diagnosis is now in remission, five months after she was elected to the Takapū/Northern General Ward.
Frocktober Awareness Campaign in Wellington
Compton delivered her personal statement at the Wellington City Council committee meeting while wearing a sequin dress to support Frocktober, an annual campaign that raises funds for ovarian cancer research. She used the platform to urge women to trust their instincts when experiencing unusual bodily changes. Women need to advocate for themselves, which is why I’ve done this today,
she told Local Democracy Reporting. I’ve done this for myself. I’ve done this for other women so that if they’re feeling off, they need to push and don’t end up in an emergency department like I did.
Diagnosis and Treatment Timeline
The health crisis began in January while Compton was on holiday with her daughter. Experiencing symptoms that did not feel like a normal illness, she visited an emergency department, a general practitioner, and a specialist, leading to an ovarian cancer diagnosis in February. Surgeons removed a large tumour in March, which was followed by six rounds of chemotherapy that concluded in September. Medical evaluations initially raised fears that the cancer had reached stage three, but it was ultimately staged at stage one.
Balancing Treatment and Local Government Duties
The diagnosis arrived just five months after voters elected Compton to the Takapū/Northern General Ward. Working remotely from her home and occasionally from her chemotherapy bed, she maintained her council duties to keep a sense of normalcy. I really needed a purpose,
she said. [The] council has been a purpose, my daughter is a purpose.
During the committee meeting, she thanked her family, friends, and colleagues for their support, mentioning that a fellow councillor even accompanied her to a wig fitting.
Ovarian Cancer Statistics and Symptoms
According to an Ovarian Cancer Foundation report, 306 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually, with 30 percent dying within the first year. The report described the disease as the “least survivable women’s cancer” as treatment options were limited and it was one of the least researched cancers. Symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, or back pain frequently present unclearly and are often dismissed as “normal female issues”.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Andrea Compton’s chemotherapy conclude?
Compton finished her sixth and final round of chemotherapy in September, following surgery in March to remove a large tumour.
What ward does Andrea Compton represent on the Wellington City Council?
She represents the Takapū/Northern General Ward, having been elected to the position shortly before her diagnosis.
How many women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually according to the foundation report?
The report states that 306 women are diagnosed with the disease each year, and 30 percent of those diagnosed die within the first year.
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