Ovarian cancer isn't talked about enough and that's a big part of the problem. When I was diagnosed in 2019, my friends and I started talking about women’s health more. Many of us didn’t know that the cervical smear test didn’t check for signs of ovarian cancer and many of us had never gone for a screening.
Unaware of the symptoms
Looking in the mirror one day in August, feeling really run down, I looked seven months pregnant. I was so swollen. In the lead up to this my periods had become heavier, but I thought I was perhaps going through the change of life. You never think it’s anything more.
This wasn’t the menopause though. No amount of iron tablets were going to solve this. The issue was much bigger.
My doctor was really good and sent me straight off to get my bloods taken. The CA125 results came back and my number was at 1,921 - the normal level is 35. I had scans and biopsies but they couldn’t tell what was wrong. They only found out once they got me on the operating table.
What they found wasn’t just ovarian cancer, but that I also had womb cancer too. Both stage I.
The debulking surgery removed any organ that had signs of cancer. It was a huge operation and although I had an epidural for pain relief, I had pain in the left side of my groin area. I couldn’t have coped afterwards without the support of my family. I could hardly get up and down the stairs.
Uncertainty
As the cancer was found at an early stage, after surgery I didn’t need to have chemotherapy but I did have to go back frequently to get a CA125 blood tests. It’s not over just because the treatment is over. I still have the pain in my groin to this day.
I think about the cancer coming back every day. Every ache, pain, or time I’m feeling unwell, I think about it returning. It’s no way to live, so I learn to put it to the back of my mind.
Stand up for us
We need to stand up for everyone affected by ovarian cancer by being confident in our bodies and going back to the doctors. We need to be listened to.
Everyone needs to take responsibility for educating themselves about their own bodies, and GPs need to be supported more in learning about the symptoms and how they differ to other women’s health like the menopause or IBS.
Supporting one another
Through Target Ovarian Cancer I've enjoyed meeting lots of new people who have had a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. It’s nice to be able to get together and talk – as you just tend to not talk about it day to day. I am really enjoying the Ovarian Cancer Community and the events the charity puts on too.
I hope that by sharing my story it encourages women to not be embarrassed and to go and get checked out, no matter how small they think the issue is.
Since my diagnosis of ovarian cancer and womb cancer, lots of my friends have started going and taking more care of themselves, and we need to do this now and for always.
If you’ve been affected by this story and would like to speak to a specialist nurse, you can call our dedicated support line on 020 7923 5475 or contact us: [email protected]. We're open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday.
If reading this story has helped you, join the Ovarian Cancer Community to connect with more people affected by ovarian cancer: www.targetovariancancer.org.uk/onlinecommunity
