Woman shares her cancer story and its 'hidden' symptoms
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Ovarian cancer is known for being a deadly and mysterious type of cancer. In Australia in 2022, about 1,815 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer; sadly, 1,016 of them passed away.
This cancer is often called a 'silent killer' because its symptoms, like bloating and fatigue, are not very specific and can be easily ignored. As a result, it's often discovered when it's already in an advanced stage.
Just recently, a survivor used social media to talk about the commonly unnoticed symptoms that eventually led to her surprising ovarian cancer diagnosis.
At just 30 years old, Dr Amy seemed an unlikely candidate for the disease. 'I was already doing all the right things to prevent cancer,' she said in a video posted on her social media account.
'Eating right, exercising… At least, that's what I thought.' Little did Amy know, two subtle changes in her body were ominous signs of the cancer within.
The first change occurred shortly after Amy returned from her honeymoon in 2017.
'After two weeks of over-indulgence, I had naturally gained a little bit of weight. Nothing major, maybe like five pounds or so,' she recalled.
'I kind of brushed it off, but even weeks later, it didn't seem to be coming off.'
For someone who knew her body well and lived a healthy lifestyle, this unexplained weight gain was out of the norm.
Next came the symptom: heartburn.
'I had relentless heartburn. I had heartburn all the time. This had never happened to me before,' she said.
'I had to keep Tums in my desk drawer at the hospital because I couldn't get through a day without them. My inner voice was saying something wasn't right,' she recalled.
While heartburn is commonplace, Amy's sudden severe and persistent acid reflux signalled something amiss.
That's when she decided to consult a professional.
After receiving negative test results for ulcers and other gastrointestinal issues, Amy's doctor ordered an ultrasound as a last resort.
The results felt like a bombshell: 'You have a tumour on your ovary. It measures 21cm by 10cm. I'm sorry, you have cancer,' her doctor told her over the phone.
Amy was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, indicating that the cancer had spread beyond the ovary.
Unfortunately, less than 40 per cent of women diagnosed at this stage survive for over five years.
For the full story, watch Amy’s videos below:
Looking back, the reasons for Amy's symptoms became clear to her.
'The size of the tumour was pushing against my intestines and my stomach,' she explained. 'It was causing me to have acid reflux. My stomach was running out of space.'
The unexplained weight gain was also likely due to the large, growing mass on her ovaries.
Though surgery successfully removed the grapefruit-sized tumour, Amy endured gruelling cycles of chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells. She experienced extreme fatigue, nausea, and depression but emerged cancer-free.
Despite having only one ovary, she and her husband were even able to have two 'miracle' children.
Now six years in remission, Amy shared her story to raise awareness of subtle ovarian cancer symptoms that are easy to dismiss.
Her experience reminds us that our bodies sometimes give us clues about serious underlying issues. Unexplained weight gain and sudden-onset heartburn may be harmless in many cases—but they can also indicate the presence of a silent killer.
Members, we hope you found Amy's story inspiring and helpful! Stay safe always, and remember, if something feels amiss, it’s always best to consult with your doctor.
This cancer is often called a 'silent killer' because its symptoms, like bloating and fatigue, are not very specific and can be easily ignored. As a result, it's often discovered when it's already in an advanced stage.
Just recently, a survivor used social media to talk about the commonly unnoticed symptoms that eventually led to her surprising ovarian cancer diagnosis.
At just 30 years old, Dr Amy seemed an unlikely candidate for the disease. 'I was already doing all the right things to prevent cancer,' she said in a video posted on her social media account.
'Eating right, exercising… At least, that's what I thought.' Little did Amy know, two subtle changes in her body were ominous signs of the cancer within.
Amy has detailed the two baffling signs of her 'hidden' cancer. Credit: Pexels.
The first change occurred shortly after Amy returned from her honeymoon in 2017.
'After two weeks of over-indulgence, I had naturally gained a little bit of weight. Nothing major, maybe like five pounds or so,' she recalled.
'I kind of brushed it off, but even weeks later, it didn't seem to be coming off.'
For someone who knew her body well and lived a healthy lifestyle, this unexplained weight gain was out of the norm.
Next came the symptom: heartburn.
'I had relentless heartburn. I had heartburn all the time. This had never happened to me before,' she said.
'I had to keep Tums in my desk drawer at the hospital because I couldn't get through a day without them. My inner voice was saying something wasn't right,' she recalled.
While heartburn is commonplace, Amy's sudden severe and persistent acid reflux signalled something amiss.
That's when she decided to consult a professional.
After receiving negative test results for ulcers and other gastrointestinal issues, Amy's doctor ordered an ultrasound as a last resort.
The results felt like a bombshell: 'You have a tumour on your ovary. It measures 21cm by 10cm. I'm sorry, you have cancer,' her doctor told her over the phone.
Amy was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, indicating that the cancer had spread beyond the ovary.
Unfortunately, less than 40 per cent of women diagnosed at this stage survive for over five years.
For the full story, watch Amy’s videos below:
Looking back, the reasons for Amy's symptoms became clear to her.
'The size of the tumour was pushing against my intestines and my stomach,' she explained. 'It was causing me to have acid reflux. My stomach was running out of space.'
The unexplained weight gain was also likely due to the large, growing mass on her ovaries.
Though surgery successfully removed the grapefruit-sized tumour, Amy endured gruelling cycles of chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells. She experienced extreme fatigue, nausea, and depression but emerged cancer-free.
Despite having only one ovary, she and her husband were even able to have two 'miracle' children.
Now six years in remission, Amy shared her story to raise awareness of subtle ovarian cancer symptoms that are easy to dismiss.
Her experience reminds us that our bodies sometimes give us clues about serious underlying issues. Unexplained weight gain and sudden-onset heartburn may be harmless in many cases—but they can also indicate the presence of a silent killer.
Members, we hope you found Amy's story inspiring and helpful! Stay safe always, and remember, if something feels amiss, it’s always best to consult with your doctor.
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