Your ovarian cancer stories

Explore real ovarian cancer stories from women living with ovarian cancer, friends, family and those we have lost.

Elizabeth's story

Elizabeth: "There are always options at different stages of your life."

Discover Elizabeth's journey with hereditary cancer risk, her decisions about risk-reducing surgeries, and the importance of knowing your family history. Learn how to take control of your health with Ovarian Cancer Action
Rebecca's story

Rebecca: I knew I had to love myself if I was to meet 'the one'.

Discover Rebecca's honest journey of life after BRCA surgery, from navigating relationships and self-acceptance to embracing intimacy and happiness as a single mum.
Yulia's story

Yulia: "As a busy professional and mother, cancer was not something I had planned for."

Yulia went through genetic testing after her breast cancer diagnosis, and learned that she carries a faulty PALB2 gene. These gene faults (or mutations) increase the risk of several cancers, …
Alison's story

Alison: I can see progress made over the last 10 years

Discover Alison's powerful journey with ovarian cancer, BRCA gene testing, and advocacy for better awareness and treatments. Learn why genetic testing matters.
Charley's story

Charley: There is no correct way to deal with carrying a BRCA gene fault

After losing her mum to ovarian cancer, Charley found out she had inherited a faulty BRCA gene and had a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her breast cancer risk. She shares her story so far, including the journey to having her little boy using a process called pre-implantation genetic testing.
Jordan's story

Jordan: Along with the worry of my own health, I worry about passing a gene fault on to my girls.

Jordan talks us through his family's experience with the BRCA gene fault, and highlights how vital this knowledge is – not only for his own health but for future generations as well.
Shannon's story

Shannon: “I fell pregnant and nearly turned my back on ovarian cancer treatment - I was terrified my baby would die”

Shannon had to undergo gruelling treatment for ovarian cancer while pregnant with her son, Hunter.She was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease, and almost…
Lindsey's story

Lindsey: "The knowledge of my BRCA2 gene mutation is a gift; it could save my life"

Despite having no known family history of cancer, Lindsey decided to take part in the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme as one of her grandparents was Jewish. She was shocked when she found out she does indeed carry a faulty BRCA gene. She tells us her story here.
Sharon's Story

Sharon:"My GP was convinced I was pregnant – anything else would be far scarier."

Sharon was a nurse and midwife. She was shocked when she found out she had ovarian cancer at age 40. She knew about the disease because her Aunt had died from ovarian cancer, but she never thought it would happen to her.
Jess' Story

Jess: "Each milestone is a reminder of a time when I thought I wouldn’t see the next one. But then I did."

Jess was diagnosed with stage 1c ovarian cancer aged 26. This year marks 5 years since her diagnosis. On this milestone, Jess reflects on her fertility, her fears and how she's feeling now.
Nick's Story

Nick: "The hope is for a future where Ovarian Cancer will be a survivable disease."

Nick, alongside his rescued English Setter Louis, is taking on the challenge of a lifetime. The pair will walk the incredible 3,048 miles of English coastline to raise money in memory of Nick’s late wife, Lisa.
Laura's story

Laura shares her story: Ovarian Cancer Action's BBC Lifeline Appeal

Meet Laura, a primary school teacher from North London who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after she was originally misdiagnosed with IBS. Now she shares her story as part of …
Natalie's story

Natalie Pearce: "Being aware of the faulty BRCA gene has helped my family"

"This photo still stops my heart. I remember how scared I was and how I was trying to put on a brave smile." Natalie was diagnosed with Stage 3c ovarian …
Talya's story

Talya: “Genetic testing has allowed me to take control of something I’d previously had no control over."

People of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage are ten times more likely to carry a BRCA gene mutation that heightens a person’s risk of ovarian cancer. Talya shares her story in the hope that more Jewish families can stay together, for longer.
Rachel's story

Rachel Firmin: "I only wish my mum could've been able to make the same choice"

Rachel pushed for genetic testing after losing her mum to breast cancer and discovered that she was BRCA2+. She shares her story.
Nola's Story

Nola: I ignored my symptoms, but a research trial discovered I had ovarian cancer

Nola shares her story to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and ovarian cancer research trials. Before Nola was diagnosed, she experienced many symptoms but didn’t realise they …
Laura's story

Laura: My symptoms returned - I put them to the back of my mind

Laura spoke to us in 2019 about her ovarian cancer diagnosis a few years prior to help us raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for. Recently, Laura found …
Marilyn's story

Marilyn: ‘I was scared, so I buried my head in the sand and ignored my symptoms’

Marilyn was diagnosed with a rare form of high grade ovarian cancer in early 2022. Here she highlights why she was reluctant to visit the GP, and why it’s vital …
Harriet' story

Harriet: "‘I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just weeks after I’d had a baby

Mum-of-three Harriet was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer in 2022. Harriet was told that she had two ovarian cysts during a routine pregnancy ultrasound. But shockingly, she did not …
Sophie's story

Sophie: “I was told I had a harmless cyst - then I was diagnosed with a rare cancerous tumour”

Sophie tells her ovarian cancer story. How she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and planning for the future.

Share your story

We know the facts, we know the numbers and the symptoms of ovarian cancer; we also know that sometimes they can be scary and overwhelming.

That's why when an individual shares their story it can transform another person's life. Your life stories, can help other women and families in so many ways.

Share your story