The level of awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms is devastatingly low and with no effective screening tool, knowing the symptoms of this disease can give us the head start in ovarian cancer being diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.
Currently, two thirds of cases are diagnosed late but if diagnosed at the earliest stage, the easier the cancer is to treat. This is why it’s vital to see improvements in awareness of ovarian cancer, alongside GP education, investment in research and much more.
Every March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and over 7,000 women are diagnosed with the disease every year. Helen Hills was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer two years ago and alongside Target Ovarian Cancer she is sharing her experience to raise awareness of the symptoms and urge everyone to share them with friends and family.
Helen’s story: the shock
Persistent bloating. Abdominal Pain. Feeling full quickly. Needing to wee more often.
Did you know these symptoms? I didn’t before I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer. If I’d have known the symptoms, I would have seen my GP a lot earlier. The summer before my diagnosis I began to experience pain in my abdomen. It felt similar to period pain and I dismissed this due to my age. By December I was really bloated and experiencing both constipation and diarrhoea at one point or another. My father died of bowel cancer, so I knew I needed to see my GP. I thought if I had anything it would be bowel cancer – I never had ovarian cancer in my mind.
They initially suspected IBS but said they’d do a blood test due to my family history. This showed a high level of potassium so I was sent for another test – which I now believe was a CA125 blood test. I was later referred to a bowel specialist who informed me there were no bowel abnormalities but that I was being referred to the gynae team who sent me for a CT and ultrasound. By the end of the month I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that had spread to the spleen, lymph nodes and near my liver. This was a huge shock.
The treatment
A month later I had initial surgery which determined the stage of my cancer. The plan was chemotherapy, then surgery and then more chemo. Things changed however as an early slot became available for surgery, and I had less than a week to decide whether I wanted this alternative, ultra-radical surgery. After discussion with my husband and kids I decided to go ahead with it. Looking back now that period was a big blur and I’m not sure how I managed it.
My surgeon was delighted that they had been able to remove all visible signs of cancer and the operation had gone well. Chemotherapy started a few months after surgery and whilst it was tough, I was determined to be as positive as I could, and amazing support from friends and family helped me through.
After chemo finished, I met with my oncologist to decide future treatment – a combination of Bevacizumab and Olaparib which I take as a tablet four times a day. Due to the loss of my spleen, I also now take penicillin. I’m still on this treatment today, determined to stay positive despite the aches and pains – but maybe that’s just my age!
How my life has changed
My experience has shown me that so much more needs to be done to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms in order to save lives. If diagnosed at the earliest stages 9 in 10 women will survive, but currently two thirds of women are diagnosed late, when the cancer is harder to treat.
I have to really look at what I do now – I take it one day at a time which is something I’ve never had to do. I am a get up and goer. Now, I have to think how am I feeling? Can I do this? Working in my local charity shop is amazing, and the Ovarian Cancer Community has been helpful, others have made suggestions on how to manage side effects, and it’s good to speak to women who are going through the same thing as me.
It’s been a very long journey for me, and whilst I’ve remained positive there are days where it’s not positive. It can be difficult to talk to friends as you don’t want things to be all about your cancer, but sometimes that’s all you can think about. That’s why I volunteer at the charity shop, it’s important that I do something else. I have also recently finished a CBT practitioner course and am currently going through a life coaching course. Life on the whole is good.
Look out for the symptoms!
The word cancer itself used to say death to me. But things are moving so quickly that people in years to come will have so many more treatment options. I feel lucky now, but it will get even better. That’s why this Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (March), together with Target Ovarian Cancer, I want everyone to know the potential significance of the symptoms.
Occasionally there are other symptoms such as change in bowel habit, extreme fatigue and / or unplanned weight loss. Any unusual bleeding from the vagina before or after the menopause should always be investigated by a GP.
Raise the awareness of ovarian cancer with Target Ovarian Cancer by visiting their site
If you need any advice about symptoms, or would like to discuss concerns regarding family history and risk or anything related to ovarian cancer, call the Target Ovarian Cancer support line on: 020 7923 5475
