How This 24-Year-Old Finally Discovered She Had Ovarian Cancer | ELLE Out Loud 

Not having a doctor listen to you is the worst feeling. It’s so scary. It’s so frustrating.

My 24 year old daughter went to her doctor with bloated symptoms and abdominal pain. The doctor told her to lose weight. A year later, after no relief and a CT scan, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Center. After two years of surgery and repeated sessions of chemotherapy, she passed away at the age of 26. Had the first doctor taken her seriously, or at least sent her to emergency, she might still be alive today.

I am so sick of medical professionals ignoring their patients pain and worry.

Doctors seriously NEED to stop playing guessing games with women's health issues, stop telling us "it's probably nothing" when u haven't even done adequate tests for our symptoms

I'm going to be graduated soon . Ill make sure that I hear my patient's words before going for the diagnosis

I was Diagnosed with grade 2 Ovarian Cancer on July 13, 2019...today I am cancer free, but I start Chemo 12/30/2019 wish me luck 🤞🏽

Similar story with my daughters diagnosis at 23. No one would listen. Diagnosed stage 4. She fought for 3.5 years RIP my Shauna O'Hara, you are still the sun and the moon and all that is in between. I miss you so. Will there ever be early detection?

My wife had the same stabbing pain. As she was growing up she would tell the doctors and they would pretty much ignore her. She dealt with this pain until she was 40 years old. Always mentioning this pain she had to each Doctor. No one found a thing or took it seriously, as usual. At 41 years old, my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. It started in her uterus. My wife passed away at 43 years old. No one listened to her.

My best friend died of cervical cancer that spread to her bladder and kidneys. She kept having pain on and off for several years but refused to go get checked because she was afraid. I begged her to go but she refused. When she got so bad she could barely walk and could not urinate she was admitted to the ER. The cancer was stage 4 and already spread. On her death bed she kept saying she wanted another chance to live. Ladies please get your yearly checkup. It could save your life!

A friend of mine was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on her 21st birthday. She had both ovaries removed within a few weeks, chemeo and the whole shebang. It’s been almost 15 years since she was diagnosed and here she is, still fighting everyday.

“Stop eating so many carbs....” you’re kidding right. I’m furious for you

My granddaughter was diagnosed at 8 years old of germ cell ovarian cancer. She went thru every treatment available. She was a great fighter and never wanted to give up. The doctors gave up on her. She passed away in Nov. of 2021. She fought for 13 years. RIP my sweet angel Emily.

I’m 19 and just had a laparotomy done two weeks ago. I had bloating and gained 10 pounds a few monthes back. My weight had always stayed consistent but I thought the weight gain was normal due to quarantine. My stomach looked like I was pregnant. So we went to the doctors and they told me it was my eating habits and constipation. I had that diagnosis for three monthes. Until my mom pushed for an ultrasound. They found a teratoma the size of a small watermelon at 20 cm. It was benign and I’m recovering from surgery. Always push for your health and if they don’t listen find another doctor that will!!

Wtf the doctors all so nonchalant "oh we'll just remove the cyst AND YOUR OVARY" as if it's a pimple 😳

Doctors NEED to start listening to women. STOP telling us our pain doesn't matter. STOP telling us "it's all in our head." Even female doctors dismiss their female patients and don't listen to us!!! My PCOS has been misdiagnosed for 20 years and now I'm having surgery for it in 2 weeks because my ovaries are enlarged. Doctors, get off your freaking high horses and do your damn jobs better. Start by listening!

In this modern day and age, you basically have to be dying for any doctor to take you seriously. It's horrendous and makes me beyond angry.

She’s lucky she had connections and such a loving supportive boyfriend

I’m a medical assistant in the OB/GYN I have worked with numerous Doctors, and if YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOUR VISIT DID NOT GO WELL and the N.P. Or Doctor was not understanding book an appointment with a different doctor! I consider myself a patient advocate and always make sure the patients I have are satisfied with their visit, if not I always tell them to book a appointment with a different doctor!

She had insurance just imagine if you had limited insurance or no coverage.

My stepmother died because doctors dismissed her severe headaches as the flu. Turned out to be a brain tumor.

What is happening in our medical schools and our research facilities? We've had decades of cancer research, yet screenings are no better?

It took an entire year for me to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I feel so blessed to have a doctor who believed me when I said I had pain. She kept doing tests, she kept asking questions until we finally found it. She was such a blessing to me and was there for me emotionally. I’m so thankful for doctors who don’t stop just because the tests say nothings wrong. I know your journey was hard and thank you for enlighten women. Don’t ever let a doctor tell you our pain is nothing to worry about. Be persistent.

We, as women, know our bodies! I had a benign tumor the size of a grapefruit on mine that was was dismissed for almost 6 mos bc of my age (25). I finally went to a different doctor who immediately requested an ultrasound followed by surgery. 3 years later I thought I had appendicitis. I was sent home saying it was a bladder infection. 2 weeks later when the pain got worse the surgeon said he thought it was "phantom pain" from my ovarian surgery. It was cancer in my appendix. LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES!

The doctors really tried to minimize her pain and cyst at every turn.

If I go to a doctor and they say oh it’s probably nothing and don’t want to run tests and are not equally concerned about your health issue, I walk out the door and keep looking. Make sure you find a doctor who wants to get to the bottom of it and doesn’t downplay your symptoms. I trust my doctor and she has the same concern as I do. She will orders tests, ultrasounds, MRIs right away, she doesn’t mess around with her patients’ health.

I cried with her to have cancer is just awful but to be so young how frightening. I wish her a full recovery and a long and happy life. I am so grateful for my health.

“Oh don’t worry, we’ll do our own scan” read: we’ll bill your insurance again

Great video and yes, no matter what age or how young, cancer doesn’t discriminate. I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer at age 24. It can and it does happen so all women need to get their yearly OBGYN Pap and screening completed. I am sitting here cancer free, now age 42, and I can say “cancer is just something I went through, not something that defines me”. Thank you, Elle, for bringing further awareness.

I'm going through this now. I go for my results on March 4th. Wish me luck. I'm afraid. Pray for me.

My story is very similar. The full and bloated stomach. Primary doctor and ER doctor not listening and calling it a cyst that will eventually go away. My blood levels were out of wack. Having surgery and having a very massive germ cell tumor that had spread to other areas, surgically removed. I was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian-teratoma cancer. I’ve gone through several rounds of chemo and have had 5 surgeries but Today Life is Celebrated and I’m grateful I had my children before the age of 29. The journey was tough and is tough for many but if you just keep pushing and fighting through it, there will be sunshine coming through the dark clouds.

The irony is the male ER doctor was more receptive if her issues than the FEMALE GYNECOLOGIST she had 🙄

Wow, 24 but with the strength and maturity of way older. My god, she’s amazing.

I know the feeling: I was diagnosed with endometrial/Ovarian cancer 17 years ago and given a few months to live yet I’m still here. Don’t give up people and keep fighting.

Thank you Amanda for sharing your story! My body was diagnosed December of 2017 with renal cancer. " There's life before cancer and after cancer" is my truth.

I am a 2-time cancer survivor. It sounds strange but cancer has made me my best self as well as emotionally and mentally strong. YOU are strong Amanda.

Doctors need to take the word “probably” out of their vocabulary

This is appalling. Even as a nurse I have had doctors give me diagnosis of IBS for almost no reason. Ridiculous that none of these doctors are listening to ANY of us.

Amanda thank you for sharing your story. My mother passed away from ovarian cancer before her 50th birthday. She was diagnosed late and it was very aggressive. Her experience has definitely made me proactive about my health. Thank you so much for speaking out about being your own advocate for your health and well-being. May you continue to be healthy and cancer-free.

When her boyfriend was standing there as she was getting her head shaved just made me tear up so much. Ugh, what a moment.

Her last comment was so important, " I wish my doctors would have listen to me sooner, but I also wish I was more aggressive." I can totally relate. My experience made me realize to listen to my body telling me something IS wrong, and not go by what doctors are saying. When it comes to your health you have to be your biggest advocate. Amanda, keep fighting the good fight!

I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at age of 12. (Now 22) I had a 10lb tumor on my left ovary that somehow all my pediatric doctors missed. My symptoms included: - excruciating abdominal pain during menstrual cycles - heavy bleeding -fatigue -constantly feeling bloated - bowel issues, constipation - my menstrual blood had a smell as well (Sorry TMI) Symptoms are very similar to pains during menstrual cycle. If you feel that something is wrong. Keep pushing until you find answers!

My gynecologist takes everything so serious! I’m fortunate for that!

My sister passed away at 15 years of ovarian cancer in 2005. I was 6. Had a full hysterectomy at 13. I can’t believe there’s still very little knowledge on this

My mom was diagnosed with late-stage 3 ovarian cancer when I was 9. She passed away several months later a month before my 10th birthday. I'm glad you were given a second at life and I hope you are doing well.

That’s so sad that her doctors didn’t believe her, until the ER doctor actually said something.

Thank you for sharing your story. I’m dealing with endometrial cancer - stage 4. Diagnosed in August. Wish I had listened to my body earlier. Anyway I love your spirit and I relate to so many of your words. I’m taking one day at a time and making the best of everyday. Knock on wood I’m doing ok with chemo for now. Have my 9th and last for a while in March. If this helps just one person it’s so worth it!!!

Thank you for your testimony. My aunt just passed away from Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. Praying for your continued health.

I had to go to the emergency room twice because no one believed me. The pain was unbearable! I stopped eating, and I started to look pregnant. It turned out I had ovarian cancer. It was the size of a watermelon. Glad to say I've been in remission for 3 years.

At age 40, I went to the doctor 3 times before I was finally diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer.

I'm a RN & the pain or condition you just always had is what ends up killing you. When a patient tells me its always just there or I have had it for years I know we need to check it out ASAP. My dad had lower back pain for years. Drs said its his job or the train accident he was in. He passed away in July with Stage 4 metastatic spine cancer.

The exact same thing happened to me at 38. Watching this was incredibly difficult because she touched on a lot of things people who haven’t been through it can never understand.

We have to be our own patient advocate. I was told I had melanoma, after having surgery which left me incapacitated for a few months and 2 scars I was told they found no cancer. Then the wound was not healing so dr told me he may have to amputate. I removed bandages and it started healing and was healed within 2 weeks. I kept telling the dr all the wound needed was oxygen to heal. Most doctors are greedy. Thanks for sharing this video and God bless!

The helplessness you feel when a professional you trust with your health and your life ignores you or is incompetent, is incredibly devasting. 😭😌

I wish her a happy and healthy life.

I am 40 years old and am currently going through the same. Everything you are describing is exactly how I feel. Just over a year ago I had to spend 3 days in the hospital for severe pelvic pains. Since then I have gone through so many medications and testings....lupron, gabbapentin, high dosage penicillin, ultrasounds, ct scans, xrays...nothing helped. I have a complex cyst but nothing done about that yet. Now after a year my doctor wants me to go see an oncologist. I have so many other symptoms and I know something isn't right. We have to advocate for ourselves. I feel like nobody is hearing me. Thank you for the video and I wish you the best xo

I'm 24 and I've yet to go to a gynaecologist. I've been having lower pains and I'm dealthy afraid to hear bad news. You're so strong and amazing.

This is incredibly similar to my story. My "cyst" is also 13cm, saw a gyno and a specialist, I'm waiting for my oncology appointment now, but keep getting told it's nothing serious, and I think it's because of my age (I'm 27). It must be serious if I'm seeing an oncologist! You've given me hope and strength to know I can kill this just like you did. 💪

I didn't think i would react with tears. I compare my oldest sister. The delay in treatment was what got her. Don't forget to be positive !!!!

It is SO important to listen to your body. I had a similar experience with a ovarian cyst that was the size of a small melon and weighed 3 pounds. I had been complaining about a heaviness in my lower abdomen and sharp pain during intercourse for several years to 5 different doctors. Not one suggested an ultrasound. Every one explained it away. Finally, one night I couldn't urinate and that lasted for two days until I finally drove myself to the ER. While in the ER they discovered the cyst. I had a catheter inserted and was sent home with a referral for oncology. After a few tests it was determined that my cyst was not cancerous, but I had to have a partial hysterectomy. I have my ovaries, but no uterus. I know much of what you have gone through minus the chemotherapy. You are correct about the advise of listening to our body! Please ladies do not ignore your gut feeling. Keep asking for what you need until you get what you need. I'm glad we both survived and hope our stories will fortify others to take their health seriously. We are the captain of our ship! Never forget that fact! Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you for posting this. I needed to see this, I go in next week to have my ovary removed. They did the same bullshit to me as they did to this girl. The one recommendation I can give to anyone, is being an advocate for your own health care. If you think something is wrong Don’t Stop! I also have lupus which took them 12 years to diagnose. I flatlined in the hospital elevator and still they were like oh you’re fine. I never stopped fighting and I’m here today. Next week‘s going to be just another challenge that I will get through. If you’re reading this and you’re suffering from a physical health problem or a mental health problem Please know you’re not alone

Thank you for sharing. I’m one year in with no answer but they haven’t even ordered one test. :( they keep saying I’m healthy and fine. I’m 38, gained 30 lbs in one year (I’ve only done this once when I was pregnant) something is definitely not right and this came up through my RU-vid this morning. I’m taking it as a sign and will find answers. Thank you again, your story is sure to save someone 💙

I had a similar pain and went to the ER and the doctor played it down and said it was an endometrial stripe and fibroids. I had to BEG for testing. The doctors always play down women’s pain and it s frustrating!!!

It took me about 3 years of solid research, several doctor's appointments, various MRI's and ultrasounds to FINALLY find a doctor to identify with my pain, understand, listen, recommend and go through with it. Thankfully I wasn't in a situation where my condition gave me a very short while to live. I tell ya..... some of these doctors today you have to wonder. What med school did you go to? Terrible. Glad you survived and so many others will have the strength to hang on and trust themselves.

Good video. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 yrs after it started showing on mammograms. She was 78. They told her it was nothing, then something small, then in 23 lymph nodes and cant treat. She fought for aggressive treatment, 7 mos of chemo and radiation. They said it will come back and wont treat a second time. She did treatment and it never came back. She lived to 93 and was still working out at gym 2 days before she passed. I'm glad you pushed for answers. It reminds me to get to my own physical and colonoscopy cuz my insurance messed that up last year.

#1ACervicalCancerSurvivor here 👐👋 we do recover, we can survive! Sending my love!!!!!

Similar story. I kept advocating for myself. ER first round benign. 2 years later ER visit again, ruptured cyst (10cm), which I was in pre op stage, and they told me the same thing, "oh it will dissolve on itself". .. I said nope give me another laparoscopy. Long story short it was stage 1C ovarian cancer. 6 rounds of chemo. 5 years in remission as of now 🙏.

Girl you are so strong. An inspiration to all of us. Through all those scary time of not having the right diagnosis and not getting the right feedback, you stood strongly. Truly said, nothing is more valuable than health.

my mom passed away when i was 5 years old in 1997.. she was 37 years old and she was in stage 4.. so ovarian cancer is very scary to me and should be taken more serious

What a brave and beautiful woman. I’ve been putting off a long overdue gynecologist appointment. I’m going to call first thing tomorrow. I am so grateful to her for sharing her story.

Having PCOS I worry about this so much 🥺

My mother passed away from ovarian cancer after going to different doctors for YEARS and being told it was nothing, she should go home and relax, etc. Finally an ER doctor figured it out and it was already at stage 4.

Younger people, although rare, can get cancer too. Performing cancer screening tests for it to come back negative is better than not performing any tests at all.

This breaks my heart. I literally cry to these people’s stories.

My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and passed away 2 years later. I wish we knew how to detect it sooner 😢

I lost my mother to this about 10 yrs ago now. I'm glad you're doing good!! Doctors missed it for her until she only had weeks left.

I was 64 when it ended for me. I've been overweight most of my life and I'm short. I started my period when I was 15, had a baby at 16 and from then on always had a really heavy period; think wearing 3or 4 heavy days or overnight pads for years. Then one day after I'd gotten out of a nursing home for a non-related incident I started spotting again. Been home 3 or 4 months after Christmas and I started bleeding very badly even worse than a regular one I was used to having. I bled down to a 3 volume of blood maybe just enough to allow my heart to beat. My husband called the ambulance because I was too pale and I hurt all over. I had a DNC and a appointment was made for me to an oncologist. Had a complete hysterectomy on 9/11/18. Lived for two weeks depressed and on edge. I had cancer but it was all removed. Didn't have to have chemo. Coming up on 2 years but, my heart meds made me lose most of my hair on top of my head. I have CHF with a side of AFib. Still dying but DAMN I enjoy everyday with my husband and Lab Sadie. You'll get there. And the hair meant nothing, it was that beautiful survivor staring back at you in the mirror.

My grandmother died from this at age 53 back in 1985. I'm so glad that women are more in tuned with their bodies today. My grandmother had been told that she was just "constipated," because she had IBS. DOCTORS didn't listen to her until it was too late.

When I was in college I didn’t have insurance and I went to the clinic at my college complaining of sharp pain in my lower stomach. The doctor ran some blood test, palpated my stomach and told me it’s probably my intestines digesting food. Problem is I believed her and lived the next five years ignoring ny pain. Eventually I went to the doctor again and told them something is wrong. As soon as they did the ultrasound you could see the 13 cm dermoid cyst and I was scheduled for surgery. I am so thankful it was benign but that first doctor made it so I stopped listening to my body. Listen 👂🏼 and don’t take it’s nothing for an answer.

Sitting here and watching this on the 3rd day after my surgery. I find it amazing that ever since my diagnosis, I am finding all these sorts of videos! Proud of you!

In my case i have no symptoms, didn't feel any pain. I just knew i have it when i had an ultra sound for my kidney. . It was a bilateral and measured 4.5 cm for my left ovary and 5.2 cm for my right ovary. I was operated after 2 months and the Dr. removed my 2 ovaries together with my uterus and appendix. It happened 8 years ago and i'm still surviving with God's blessings. Praise the Lord!

One of my best friends kept telling her doctor she felt something more was wrong with her than what he diagnosed. Her mother convinced her to go to her doctor where she was diagnosed with liver cancer. They treated it aggressively but to no avail. She died nine months later. If only her own doctor had listened to her. It will be one year in April since she’s been gone. I miss her desperately.

She’s so intelligent and I’m so pleased for her progress. She’s so young to go through that type of cancer and for every medical professional to not believe her it’s frustrating. I’m so proud of her for sharing her story.

Having family and friends who support and love you is the most important thing when going through something like this... Imagine going through this all alone

Too often I am hearing this Doctors not listening to us gals when we know something is not right. You are a remarkable young lady and you should be so proud of this video and how you spoke about your experience with dignity and class. May every day be a better day for you. Sending love from the UK. You are right we need to not just take these Doctors words but push and push if we do not feel right. 💜🙏xx

I had endometriosis for six years before all the doctors decided to figure it out. Even though my mom died of ovarian cancer when I was 19 they still refused to do anything to find out why I was in pain . That's so scary when doctors don't believe your pain. Who are you supposed to turn to for help?

Thank you for sharing your story. Continue the courageous fight. Both my mom and sister died from ovarian cancer. One of the signs to watch out for is bloating in the stomach. Also, ask the doctor to do a blood test called CA125.

Thank God you and I survived this! Listening to your story was like listening to sound bites of my own life. I survived ovarian cancer TWICE! because I didn't allow the doctors to ignore me like I experienced in the past with my polyp and fibroid. WOMEN... they say ovarian cancer is a silent killer... IT ISN'T!!! LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!! My breast were sore for months, I had stabbing pains in my lower abdomen and pressure on my bladder. I made an appointment when I finally couldn't make any more excuses up in my mind. I went to the doctor regularly. I had a pap just a short time before I made the apointment. I remember my doctor saying that my period would be coming soon based on what she saw during the exam. At my appointment, they told me it was kidney infection. They prescribed meds but the pain wouldn't stop. I went back to the urgent care and the doctor read my previous results and said I did not have an infection in my kidneys. He pushed down on my stomach and the pain was unbelievable. I had been telling my husband that the left side of my stomach looked bigger. But since I was overweight it probably looked the same way to him. I followed up with the gyno like the urgent care doctor suggested. I went to the same doctor that performed the surgery to remove my polyp and fibroid that took him months to find. But he had an opening and I desperately needed help. He said, don't worry, I'm sure you're fine. We looked at everything just 2 yrs ago and I didn't see anything. I insisted that he do a pelvic exam because I wasn't leaving until he did. So he performed the pelvic exam and he felt it right away. He said something is there! He ordered an ultrasound. I remember the tech putting the wand inside of me for about 3 seconds and then excusing herself to speak with the doctor. He sent me down stairs for blood work. I remember looking at the paperwork with the lab orders. It said 125 cancer screening. The test came back negative. When I returned upstairs to speak with the doctor, he said it's probably just a cyst. No need to worry. He will remove it and we will move on. Surgery came. Surgery ended. I just recall home walking into the room and saying IT WAS SO BIG!! After a month of Waiting on pathology reports, the doctor called. It was 8am on a Friday morning and he wanted me to come on the following Monday. There was no way I was gonna survive the weekend. I insisted that he tell he what was going on. He finally called back and told me that I "had" cancer but it was removed and I would be fine. I found out I had a rare ovarian cancer that only 5% of ovarian cancer patients get. It only returned 10% of the time! Just 10%!! The odds were against me becau se 1 yr later... CANCER WAS BACK!!!

This is so scary for me. I've had pain in my lower right side for months, now. I was just told today by my gynecologist that it was just a normal cyst and it will go away with birth control... I hope it will, because having the same result this young lady had scares me to death.

She’s a true inspiration for all the woman fighting against all sorts of ovarian problem ❤️

Ovarian cancer is especially scary, almost always diagnosed in its late stage .

Omg I’ve been told my ovarian cyst is not that big for dr’s to remove, but I’ve been having horrible pain through out the years 😭 it’s frightening

I wish I could speak to this girl. I was diagnosed with stage 1c ovarian cancer in 2011 when I was 26. Next year will be 10 years cancer free.

This is becoming the norm. Scary

Amanda, you've done a great service to humanity by sharing your story. I was also told my situation was probably benign. I identify with everything you said. Thanks for saying that you have to heal from chemo. People think once the chemo stops flowing, it's over. I had to advocate for myself on many occasions during my journey, and I still am. God bless!

I had my cancer misdiagnosed as a mucous plug in the nasal area. I can relate to your misdiagnosis.

“Don’t eat so many carbs.” What a dumb response to a patient.

I had the exact same cancer when I was 17! I have never come across anyone who also had a germ cell form of ovarian cancer. Thanks for sharing your story!!

My Mother had noticeably lost weight and a year later felt bloated very often. No pain. She was full with cancer, it was horrible. My girlfriend had a small rash on her left breast nipple. Her doctor said, “oh it’s just a rash.” I got her butt into a better doctor in a Portland and sure enough she had breast cancer in her milk ducts.

When I had to have a hysterectomy with removal of my right ovary, I talked my doctor into removing my left ovary as well. I felt that it was the best so that I wouldn't end up with ovarian cancer later.

Why is this so extremely common with basically any cancer? It's almost like they are taught to not even consider cancer unless the person is on the brink of death. They like to link everything to anxiety and make you feel like you're insane when you bring up your concerns.