Survivor Alison Meretini reveals her battle with ovarian cancer to raise awareness

What haunted her family – her two sisters and three daughters – was the initial diagnosis of the disease that kills one woman on average every eight hours in Australia.

February is ovarian cancer awareness month and with no early detection test, awareness is the next best thing, said Alison.

She was diagnosed after months of stomach discomfort, followed by the discovery of a golf-ball sized lump in her abdomen.

The diagnosis, surgery and then chemotherapy all came in a rush for Alison.

Her friends and family rallied around her, making the treatment more bearable.

"It was a really mixed experience because once my family and friends knew about the diagnosis, the surgery and the chemo, I had an extraordinary amount of love and support," Alison said.

Three years on, Alison said research illustrates that the cancer could return, but she would hate to jinx herself by speculating if it could.

"There is so much more research being done now and the research is advancing all the time. If it does return, I will have more treatment," she said.

Alison said it's not only her who now has to be vigilant, but also her family. Alison's older sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and the younger one has had her ovaries removed to reduce her risk.

"None of my children have had children yet – it touches on some quite deep issues, not just for me, the one with ovarian cancer, but for my family and their future plans," she said.

"But it's about being vigilant and noticing any symptoms, and having regular check-ups."

After dipping into depression during her treatment, Alison said she is now feeling more content with her life than she ever has, thanks to a great deal of support from a variety of sources.

Alison said she could not have got through with the support of OvCan, a support group in Canberra for women with ovarian cancer.

The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at St John's Church in Reid at 7.30pm.