'Healthy and active' woman, 30, diagnosed with cancer after doctor ignored subtle symptom
A 'healthy and active' 30-year-old woman was handed a devastating cancer diagnosis after doctors missed one subtle symptom.
Gemma Henly, from Queensland, Australia, was a fitness fanatic, having worked as a personal trainer and an instructor for the best part of six years.
She spent much of her twenties inspiring women on their own personal fitness goals and was loving everything she was doing.
But Gemma's life was turned upside down following her 30th birthday after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
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Speaking to the Daily Mail recently, Gemma said: "The thing that I originally went to the GP about was my menstrual cycle.
"I was just bleeding for a couple weeks at a time for three of my cycles. I'm pretty in tune with my body. This was not normal for me."
Doctors initially put her symptoms down to a bug, but Gemma knew she had to press for answers and further tests when the bleeding worsened over the next two months.
Gemma decided to visit another GP who sent her for an ultrasound to 'rule out anything possible'.
"Unfortunately, or fortunately I guess, we found it [cancer] and that started a cascade of more tests," Gemma added to the Daily Mail.
"I was referred to a gynaecological oncologist who was the surgeon, to explore all avenues as to whether there was any chance we could preserve my fertility.
"There was hope that we could potentially preserve my uterus so even if I couldn't use my own eggs, I could potentially look at like a donor egg option in the future."
Sadly, further tests revealed Gemma's cancer had spread to the uterus, with an operation in March this year seeing Gemma having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as part of a total hysterectomy.
Gemma has now completed two rounds of chemotherapy and is eager to return to the fitness routine despite having a long road to recovery.
Thankfully, the ovarian cancer was found at Stage 1C, which allows for appropriate and hopefully effective treatment to be undertaken.
A GoFundMe has since been set up by one of Gemma's colleagues to help the Aussie return 'to doing what she loves'.
The fundraiser states: "Gemma has already undergone surgery to remove the cancer, but her journey isn’t over yet. She will need ongoing treatment to ensure the cancer doesn't return, and unfortunately, the surgery and the treatment are both physically and financially challenging.
"Gemma has not only been affected by the high costs of treatment but has lost her only source of income by not being able to operate her Personal training business."
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
Mayo Clinic states symptoms of ovarian cancer may not be noticeable once disease first develops. However, signs to look out for are:
- Abdominal bloating or swelling
- Quickly feeling full when eating
- Weight loss
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- A frequent need to urinate
Callum Jones