I thought I was just bloated – the truth was much worse

A woman was diagnosed with cancer after her doctor discovered massive cysts lurking on her ovaries.

Natasha Inman, from Leeds, had ‘no symptoms’ before being checked – apart from mild bloating. But the 33-year-old thought nothing of it.

It wasn’t until she went for a catch-up with her GP, covered by her insurance at work, that alarm bells started ringing.

Her doctor knew something was wrong when they couldn’t do a Pap smear because a tumor was blocking the area.

Follow-up tests showed that she had four cysts on her ovaries totaling 40 cm, which is about the size of a 30-week-old fetus. Tests showed they were cancerous.

Recalling her diagnosis May, the finance officer said, “When the doctor told me I was in shock and didn’t believe it.”

‘I had no symptoms, I was just a little bloated, but I never would have gone to the doctors for it – it didn’t affect my life much.

“I think looking back now, I struggled in the gym for about three months, especially anything to do with lying on my stomach — but again, I didn’t think much of it.

‘[I thought it was] just a bloated feeling maybe.’

Doctors said the combined mass of the cysts was the same size as if she had been pregnant for 5-6 months.

After doctors found the cysts, Natasha underwent a cesarean section to remove them and they were sent for examination.

She said, “I thought nothing of it, I was just getting back on with my life and work.

“Two weeks later, the doctor texted me to come see her and to bring a friend.

“Again, I didn’t think anything of this, I just thought maybe it was standard routine.

‘[When they told me the cysts were cancerous] I was in shock and it was all a bit blurry.

“What scared me the most was the word chemotherapy and the thought of losing my hair.

“I’ve had such long, healthy hair all my life and I couldn’t imagine it being taken away from me.”

On May 4, she was officially diagnosed with stage 1 grade 3 germ cell teratoma ovarian cancer.

Stage 1 means the cancer is only in the ovary and has not spread to the fallopian tube or uterus, while grade three means the cancer is growing quite quickly.

Germ cell ovarian tumors, also called ovarian cysts, begin in the ovarian cells that develop into egg cells. They are rare and usually affect girls and young women in their early thirties.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular periods.

Surgery is needed to remove the tumors. Most are noncancerous, but chemo may be needed if the tumor is malignant.

Doctors discussed treatment options with her, and a week later, Natasha had emergency eggs frozen before retrieving her eggs.

This was to ensure that if chemotherapy affected her fertility, she could try for a baby with her frozen eggs.

Natasha said, “Having a family has always been a dream of mine, so having the possibility that my own child might be taken away from me was just as hard to deal with as being diagnosed with cancer.

“However, I remain positive that I can start a family with my frozen eggs and/or conceive naturally with one ovary.”

In late May, just a few weeks after being diagnosed, Natasha began the first of four cycles of grueling chemotherapy.

When that is done in early August, her ovaries and fallopian tubes will be removed.

Natasha added, “The worst thing for me was the thought of losing my hair, so I tried the cold cap for the first two cycles.

“Unfortunately it didn’t work and I had to cut my hair off.

“That was the hardest part and I am still struggling with my new identity.

‘I do have a wig, but of course it’s not the same.

“The other thing that has changed a lot is how your closest friends stay with you and there are other people who would rather not be close to you.

“This has also been a huge shift in knowing who to trust around you.

‘So far the treatment has been very tough.

“I’ve found it really hard mentally and physically, but I’m lucky I caught it early so I can heal and get better.”