Brodie's story: “I pushed for a scan and it changed everything.”

At just 30, Brodie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, despite experiencing what felt like minimal symptoms. Now in treatment, she reflects on the shock of her diagnosis and the reality of living with ovarian cancer. This is her story.

"I‘d been going to my GP for over six months with pelvic pain, which I assumed was a UTI because I’d been having severe pain when peeing. Each time, I was prescribed antibiotics, month after month, without any further investigation. Nothing was improving, so eventually I pushed for a scan. It immediately showed a large tumour which was first thought to be on my bladder – but we later found out was on my left ovary.

Two days after the scan I ended up in A&E because the pain was unbearable and I’d developed numbness in my left leg. That’s when I was referred to UCLH, who were – and continue to be – amazing.

If I'm honest, besides my UTI-type symptoms, I had very few symptoms until my tumour reached over 10cm. Once it reached that size I could feel it ‘bouncing around’ in my pelvis. Whenever I coughed, went over a speedbump, laughed or even if someone brushed past me, it felt like I was being stabbed in my lower abdomen – or at least how I’d imagine that would feel!

On my mother’s side of the family, there’s a history of lung, kidney, and skin cancer, but no breast or ovarian cancer. On my father’s side, there is no history of cancer at all, so my ovarian cancer diagnosis was a complete surprise.

So far, treatment has been surgical and will remain so. On the 15th of January 2025, I had de-bulking surgery, which consisted of midline laparotomy, left salpingooopheorectomy, peritoneal wash, infra colic omentectomy and excision of disease from the sigmoid colon and pouch of Douglas. After this, I was placed under regular surveillance with TV scans, CT scans and blood test (CA1-19 and CA125)."

"In March 2025 I had my eggs frozen – after being declined funding IVF through the NHS (but that’s another story!). During my monitoring, something suspicious was seen near my bowel, and on Christmas Eve 2025, I had further surgery - a diagnostic robotic laparoscopy with biopsies and excision of disease.

On the 5th January 2026, I was called in to attend the Macmillan Cancer Centre to discuss my results. My oncologist confirmed that recurrence had occurred, and much sooner than expected. Surgery is now scheduled for the 6th February and will involve a laparotomy, excision of peritoneal disease, and an anterior resection (removal of my sigmoid colon). I’ve also been told I may need a temporary stoma bag following the surgery.

At the same appointment, I was advised that my only fallopian tube is completely blocked, meaning I can’t conceive naturally. This is something that’s really tough to process.

My life has changed drastically since my diagnosis. I used to be a party girl every weekend, and now I’m drained and exhausted. I work long weeks – usually six days, 9am to 6 pm – which doesn’t leave me a huge amount of free time. When I do have time, though, I love to cook and spend time at home. I also love squeezing in as many holidays as I can – my surgeon did say vitamin D is a great help when it comes to lowering recurrence rates, so I’ve got an excuse!"

"My biggest support system is my fiancé - I honestly don’t know how he does it. He was my first boyfriend at 12 years old. We then went our separate ways, but rekindled at 29, just three months before my diagnosis. He was the one who pushed me to ask for a scan from my GP because he saw the pain I was in daily. Without him, I don’t know where I would be now. He is with me for every appointment, making pages of questions to ask, and is pacing the hospital every time I have surgery. He is also an expert at keeping me calm.

Also, my best friends are constantly there for me, offering their full support. Whenever I'm recovering from surgery, the endless gifts, flowers and dinners just make it all so much easier.

My advice for anyone recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer would be not to panic and build a good relationship with your oncologist. I have found that due to having such a good, positive relationship with my oncology surgeon and her team, they are always clear and concise. I never have to worry and trust that I’m in amazing hands!

I feel that it's important to share my story because I just cannot even imagine how many people are out there who could be living with ovarian cancer and have no idea, just like myself. Women's health isn’t taken seriously in the UK at all, and since the day I found out I've wanted to make a change in any way I possibly can."