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.
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.
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.
Update: July 2025
The King's Garden Party
In May 2025 I was honoured to attend the King's Garden Party in recognition of my campaigning for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and fundraising for Target Ovarian Cancer.
It was an unforgettable day where I had the privilege of speaking at length with Princess Catherine, Zara Phillips, and Princess Eugenie about the importance of early detection - not just for ovarian cancer, but for all cancers.
Catherine kindly asked about my health and my daughter’s experience supporting both me and my husband through cancer - it was a personal and moving conversation.
From swapping stories and contact details with fellow guests to gaining new support for spreading awareness across the country, it was a surreal leap from my hospital bed to the royal gardens - a powerful reminder of how far I’ve come and how important it is to keep going.
Campaigning and bringing together my community
I was excited to be invited to Parliament in June 2025 by my local MP, Terry Jermy. I went along with a friend; someone I connected with after she reached out about the work I do in campaigning and fundraising for Target Ovarian Cancer. That’s how women often find each other in this space, so it was special to attend together.
This is also something else I'm passionate about: connecting with women affected by ovarian cancer. I’m currently working on setting up a local support group through the Let's Connect project where I live in King’s Lynn. I’ve been in touch with the team at Target Ovarian Cancer, and introduced them to our local CNS nurses too, who are all really supportive of the idea!
I’ve had a few meetings with the Big C, a Norfolk-based cancer charity, and they’ve already offered us a room to use - I'm really excited about this opportunity and seeing everything come together. Watch this space!
Working with GPs
We all know that far too many women with ovarian cancer end up making repeated visits to their GPs before their symptoms are recognised for what they are. I’ve therefore been very keen to support efforts to educate healthcare professionals in my area about the illness - so that doctors are better equipped to diagnose ovarian cancer patients at an earlier stage of the illness, when outcomes are likely to be much better.
I have run several awareness-raising sessions at my local GP surgery and, in February 2025, I was interviewed about my experience of ovarian cancer for two films for GPs that were made by the East of England NHS Cancer Alliance.
I also addressed a cancer education conference organised by my local Integrated Care Board during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March 2025. It was an amazing experience – to tell my story to GPs, practice managers and surgeons.
I think it’s so important that GPs hear directly from women about their experience of ovarian cancer. We can help them fully understand how devastating an illness this is, in the hope they will not mistakenly dismiss symptoms as being signs of a less serious condition.
We can also encourage GPs to engage with Target Ovarian Cancer’s Early Diagnosis team – who ensure that primary care professionals have the knowledge they need to support rapid diagnosis.
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 0808 802 6000 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
