Knowing your body and recognizing the signs of ovarian cancer can save your life

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Shortly after my 26th birthday, I felt a lump in my abdomen, and knew that something was wrong. I could only feel it when I was lying down and my bladder was full. I saw a string of doctors to figure out what was going on, but they brushed off my symptoms as normal. One even told me, “Sometimes things just grow inside your body.” I persisted, and finally saw a doctor who agreed that I needed an MRI.

I knew the lump had gotten larger, but I had no idea how large — it had grown to the size of an orange. I was informed that the lump was just a benign fibroid, though no blood work was done to confirm this. Because I had poor health insurance coverage, I worked out a plan with my doctor to have surgery to remove the fibroid in the new year —nearly four months later. I had plans to move to New York City, and I didn’t want my fibroid getting in the way.

I moved to NYC that fall with two suitcases and a malignant tumor on my ovary. For the next four months, I ignored constant pain and bloating. But despite feeling so bloated, I was barely eating because I always felt full. 

I had to buy new clothes that fit my changing body and hid my stomach. I had to pee constantly — often several times throughout the night. Sex became painful. I was always tired. And occasionally, I would wake up in the middle of the night with a searing pain in my abdomen. Yet, I never saw another doctor or got another opinion. I chalked up my changing body and symptoms to my new lifestyle. There was always an excuse not to go to the doctor. 

I didn’t learn that I had ovarian cancer until I came out of surgery to remove my “fibroid,” nearly six months after my initial discovery. The cancer had spread beyond my ovary and into my lymph nodes and surrounding tissues — meaning it was discovered at stage 3C. I was taken into emergency surgery to remove my right ovary, lymph node, and tissue where the cancer had spread. One week after my surgery, I was meeting with fertility doctors about freezing my eggs. Two weeks after my surgery, I started chemotherapy.

I’ve been in remission for four years, and in my free time, I do whatever I can to raise awareness for the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer,” because many of the symptoms are similar to non-life threatening health issues, like fibroids. So it’s important for everyone — people with and without ovaries — to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, for themselves and for their family or friends who could be impacted. 

#KnowOvarian - Signs & Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

  • Bloating
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
  • Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
  • Fatigue
  • Upset stomach or heartburn
  • Back pain
  • Pain during sex
  • Constipation or menstrual changes

Learn more about ovarian cancer. 

-Hannah at Planned Parenthood