Your ovarian cancer stories

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

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.
Emma's Story

Emma: "Never in my life did I think it would be me, especially not at 20"

It all started earlier in the year when I developed symptoms like having to get up to wee a lot during the night, feeling sick all the time and losing my appetite. The doctors and I both put it down to IBS, never in my life did I think it would be cancer.
Dinah's Story

Dinah: "Niraparib has given me hope"

Primary school teacher Dinah Lewis shares her experience of ovarian cancer and the maintenance treatment niraparib.
Alison's story

Catherine: "My wish is that no one else dies from undiagnosed peritoneal cancer."

Catherine lost her mum Alison to primary peritoneal cancer in 2012. Eight years on, she’s ready to share her story in the hope she can help others survive the disease.
Carolyn's story

Carolyn: "More than anything, she was the heart of our family"

Carolyn sadly lost her mum to ovarian cancer 18 months ago. Now she is determined to raise money for the vital research that will create better treatments, earlier detection and methods of prevention. Read her story below.
Jenny's story

BRCA and hereditary cancer risks: Jenny's genetic testing journey

When Jenny's aunt was sadly diagnosed with peritoneal cancer she decided to have genetic testing. After discovering her own BCRA 2 gene mutation she started a support group on Facebook for other women who had a hereditary risk.
Anne's story

Remembering Anne Giess: International Nurses Day

David lost his lovely wife Anne to ovarian cancer in 2019. Now he’s determined to raise awareness so that both women, and men, will recognise the disease.
Gemma's story

Gemma - 'Why we need better testing for ovarian cancer'

Gemma was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, aged 34. Here she shares her story, including how her ovarian cancer was discovered while she had womb cancer, and why improved testing is vital to early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Gemma talks about her experience of testing and how, bizarrely, she was ‘lucky’ her cancer was found relatively early - because she had another cancer.
Caroline's story

Caroline Brown: "Research into early detection is paramount."

This year marks 26 years since Caroline's ovarian cancer diagnosis. She reflects on the importance of early diagnosis and the impact that cancer can continue to have on your mental health, even after being given the all-clear.
Emma's story

Emma: ‘I was diagnosed with endometriosis, then discovered I had ovarian cancer’

Emma, now aged 42, found out that she had a cyst on her ovary at a routine ultrasound in 2022, during her treatment for endometriosis. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer one year later, after a cyst grew rapidly on her other ovary.
Fiona's story

Fiona: “I’m proud of who I’ve become since my diagnosis, but I wish I had undergone a different treatment”

Fiona was diagnosed with a rare type of ovarian cancer in 2007, aged 25. Now, celebrating 15 years since her diagnosis, Fiona reflects on her journey so far and shares her experiences to highlight the reality of living with ovarian cancer.
Doris story

Doris: Why ovarian cancer research is so important:

Doris’ ovarian cancer diagnosis came as a huge shock, as despite her medical background, she was unaware of the disease. Now she’s sharing her story to help spread awareness of ovarian cancer in the hope that a focus on research will help more women survive the disease.
Diane's story

Diane Evans-Wood: "Once you accept your new kind of normal, life can resume and you can still have fun."

Diane Evans-Wood was working as a Palliative Care Nurse Specialist when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013. She shares her story — from the early symptoms through to diagnosis and treatment.
Danielle's story

Danielle Golding: From cancer at 23 to a family of three

When Danielle was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 23 it was the end of months go going back and forth to the hospital. Upon discovery that she had tumours on both her ovaries and required immediate surgery, her thoughts of the future, and having a family felt distant. This is her story.
Claudia's story

Claudia Gore: "We need to look after our minds too"

Claudia Gore, 47, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago. She shares the story of her early symptoms, her diagnosis and treatment. Claudia also describes the impact of her ovarian cancer experience on her mental health and why sessions with a psychologist helped so much.
Bethany's story

Bethany Dinsley: "Everyone was complimenting me on losing weight"

Bethany was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was just 19. She shares her story.
Linsey's story

Linsey: “My wonderful Mum could still be alive today - if only the GP had done two simple things”

Linsey tells us the story of her mother, Anne who was diagnosed with Stage 4c ovarian cancer in 2011, after switching to a private GP. Here, she tells us of her mum's struggle with getting a diagnosis, treatment and what she wants all women to do if they suspect they're experiencing ovarian cancer symptoms.
Angela's story

Angela Walker: "I'm still going strong 14 years after my last chemotherapy session"

Meet mum-of-three Angela who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003 at the age of 46.
Amanda's story

Amanda Cawthorn: "My CA125 blood tests were still normal"

Amanda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer aged 42 but didn’t have the normal symptoms. It was a persistent cough that kept taking her back to her GP.
Pamela's story

Pamela: "I’m sharing my experience to help highlight the importance of an early diagnosis"

Pamela was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018 at the age of 78. She was fast-tracked by her GP for a swift diagnosis and quickly began a combination of surgery and chemo to treat the disease.

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