Diane out fundraising in her local community, holding a collection tin and Target Ovarian Cancer posters and leaflets

Diane's story

Diane has shared her story with MPs, campaigned in her local community and will not stop working towards a future where there is increased awareness of ovarian cancer.

I'm an ovarian cancer survivor. Through working with Target Ovarian Cancer I've been able to tell my story, urge members of parliament to make ovarian cancer a health priority and stand for the women who aren’t here to tell their stories. We've lost lovely ladies to this disease and one of those ladies was an inspiration to me.  

We can’t be that unlucky, can we? 

I'd been suffering with a bloated tummy, regular water infections and I couldn't eat much at one time. It was blamed on my diverticulitis, so I kept putting up with it. That was until my husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer through the NHS screening programme in August 2021.

It was a shock to us both, but it made me realise that I had the classic symptoms of ovarian cancer. I went back to my GP, but I thought we can't be that unlucky…. 

The GP referred me to gynaecology, and I asked for a CA125 blood test but there was a shortage of vials in the NHS at the time so I couldn't have one.  

My husband encouraged me to go for a private ultrasound and scan, rather than wait, which I did in September. Fortunately, the blood test and scan were done at the same time, which allowed me to be diagnosed quicker. My scan showed ovarian cysts and my CA125 levels were at 375 – well above the normal range of 35. 

Diane smiling at our Pathfinder event in Westminster

Two week cancer pathway, two major surgeries 

I went back to the GP and asked for a fast-track referral to gynaecology through the two-week cancer pathway. The gynaecologists then did further scans and an MRI scan. Originally, the gynaecologist thought it was endometrioma and decided to perform a laparoscopic bilateral salpingo oophorectomy, to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes, which I had in December 2021.  

They tested the tissue and cells and in January 2022 I was told that in fact I did have ovarian cancer – a type called low grade serous carcinoma. It was another shock in our life.  

Further surgery 

I was referred to the city hospital to have my major surgery in March 2022. I had my second operation  – this was a midline laparotomy, a total abdominal hysterectomy, pelvic peritonectomy, infracolic omentectomy, and cholecystectomy.  

This was very hard for me as not only was I in critical care after the operation, but I was worrying about my poor husband. He’d had surgery to remove half his bowel and was going through chemotherapy for bowel cancer. Not being able to see each other was really difficult. 

Finding Target Ovarian Cancer 

The final histology confirmed that it was low grade serous carcinoma stage 1C2, a rare ovarian cancer.  

Feeling lost and struggling with it all, I found Target Ovarian Cancer’s support groups. At last I could speak to ladies who understood what I was going through, in mind and body.  

A photo of Diane, and MP Sharon Hodgson and Target Ovarian Cancer CEO Annwen Jones at the Pathfinder 2022 in event in Westminster

Campaigning for change 

I joined Target Ovarian Cancer in London when the charity and its supporters went to Number 10 Downing Street to present an open letter signed by over 21,000 people to demand the government take action on the awareness crisis in ovarian cancer. I met lots of the people I'd spoken to in the support groups and it was lovely.  

I went home inspired and realised so much awareness needs to be done to save lives. I felt so passionate that I started a local awareness campaign with the help of my dear friends. I've been amazed by the number of ladies that didn’t know that a smear test doesn't cover them for ovarian cancer, I mean 100s just in my local town.

I know from Pathfinder 2022 – Target Ovarian Cancer’s report – that in fact 40% of women believe the smear test does screen for ovarian cancer. It’s really worrying. 

A future generation of awareness  

I've been on a mission to change the future for those who might be at risk. From speaking to my local councillor and being featured in a newsletter that went to 5,500 homes listing out the symptoms, appearing on ITV News, to awareness days at my GP practice and in the community, I know this all contributes to making progress possible.  

Ovarian cancer needs to be diagnosed at the earliest stage. Ladies need to be aware of the symptoms. We need to see continued funding for awareness campaigns across the UK.  

If diagnosed early enough this can be treated, rather than be a killer.  


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