Your ovarian cancer stories

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

Tina's story

Tina's story: Skydive for Mum

When Tina lost her mum, Yvonne, to ovarian cancer, it was a heartbreaking shock to the entire family. The loss was sudden, and the grief overwhelming, but Tina knew she wanted to honour her mum’s memory in a way that truly captured her spirit.
Louise's Story

Chloe's campaign for change

Chloe, 25, lost her mum Louise to ovarian cancer five years after she was sadly misdiagnosed. Chloe has now decided to put her effort into making change so no …
Leigh Story

Leigh’s story: I had four breast surgeries in total.

As teenagers my sister and I we were told there was a possibility we had a breast cancer gene mutation. When we decided to be tested, one of my sisters …
Gilly's story

Gilly's story: "I was in shock. I had no previous symptoms."

After an emergency admission due to abdominal pain, Gilly was shocked to be diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Here she tells her story of her diagnosis, t…
Fiona's story

Fiona's story: "It took two years to arrange the bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy."

Fiona, from Glasgow, found out she carries a high inherited risk of cancer due to a BRCA gene fault, after her mum was involved in a research study into cancer…
Elizabeth's story

Elizabeth: I was asked about family history- A straightforward question but one that I couldn't answer as I was adopted as a baby.

Elizabeth (not her real name) found out about her faulty BRCA gene after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. As she was adopted, she had little information about her family …
Amanda's story

Amanda: My Lynch syndrome journey began not long after my chemotherapy and surgery.

After her symptoms were initially put down to a pre-existing heart issue, Amanda was diagnosed with stage 3B low grade serous ovarian cancer and had genetic testing due to her …
Paula's story

Paula story : I knew I wanted to have children, but at the same time, I knew I didn’t want to be responsible for passing on a gene fault.

Paula found out about her BRCA2 gene fault after her mum was diagnosed with both breast and ovarian cancer. Here she tells us about her journey since, includin…
Sally's story

Sally's story: After losing my Mum, I wanted to take control.

Mum became unwell in January 2022, with an upset stomach, severe stomach pain, back pain, indigestion and bloating. She saw her doctor several times as her sym…
Angela's story

Angela: Turning adversity into hope

The impact of treatment on patients' mental health can be challenging, however Angela used her experience to help other through their journey by becoming a chemo buddy for women. Here she tells us her story.
Ann's Story

John: "Every Christmas, I find myself thinking of my wife, Ann"

John’s wife Ann wrote a diary during her diagnosis and treatment for ovarian cancer. Sadly, John lost Ann in 1995, but he share’s her story and supports Ovaria…
Anne's story

Ann's diary: "I hope this is of use to anyone else who finds themselves in a similar situation"

Spring 1993I have decided to write this after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer on February 18th 1993.I intend to document dates and medical information and …
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.

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