Rower's cancer scare

Fiona Paterson, left, racing with teammate Rebecca Scown last year. Photo / Getty Images

When Kiwi rower Fiona Paterson lines up at the start of the World Rowing Championships in a few weeks, she will have no doubt about her inner strength.

She has made the start line after surviving cervical cancer.

Nearly 1000 New Zealand women are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer each year - and, every day, one dies.

"It really was the last thing I expected to have to go through in my 20s. I don't have any history of gynaecological cancer in my family," said Paterson, who is preparing for the world champs at Lake Karapiro.

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness month and Paterson, who was 22 when diagnosed, wants others to learn her lesson.

She had a rare and aggressive form of cervical cancer and needed urgent surgery to remove her uterus. She endured chemotherapy and radiation treatment - which caused early-onset menopause. She will not be able to bear children.

She ignored the signs for six months. "I hadn't been getting check-ups. I could have caught the cancer five or six months before I did."

* The Vagina Monologues, a Gynaecological Foundation fundraiser, is playing at Auckland's Basement Theatre until September 11.