A 28-year-old woman is fighting for her life after she had a soccer-ball-sized, 5kg tumour removed during her son’s birth.
The cancerous tumour was detected in Emily Wiles’s ovaries just seven days before she delivered her son, Eli, safely by C-section at only 34 weeks pregnant. She had reported feeling cramps at 30 weeks’ gestation, with the pain escalating quickly, resulting in a trip to the emergency department.
“We were shocked there was a tumour growing alongside baby this whole time,” says Emily’s husband, Luke.
A 5kg tumour removed from young mum
The three-hour procedure to have her 5kg tumour removed was conducted by Mater Hospital Brisbane alongside obstetricians at Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
Tests revealed the tumour was Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type (SCCOHT), a very rare and dangerous subtype of ovarian cancer, most likely to affect young women.
“Of every 10,000 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, no more than one will be diagnosed with SCCOHT,” says Mater Hospital Brisbane Gynaecological Oncologist Dr Rhett Morton.
Little Eli was delivered safely, weighing just 2.3kg and received specialist care at the Mater Neonatal Critical Care Unit. He is now a healthy and happy eight-week-old bub that has settled into life with his 20-month-old brother, Asa.
Emily has started aggressive chemotherapy after having her 5kg tumour removed and is now halfway through six rounds of treatment. She wanted to share her story during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness of the warning signs of the disease, which claims more than 1,000 Australian women’s lives each year. There is no available screening test yet for the disease.
“Had I not been pregnant, I would have associated the symptoms with periods – cramps, funny bowel movements – and I find that to be really scary,” says Emily.
Ovarian cancer symptoms
One Australian woman dies every eight hours from ovarian cancer. 70% of women dignosed with advanced ovarian cancer will have a recurrence within three years.
The most commonly reported symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
- Abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain
- Feeling full after eating a small amount
- Needing to urinate often or urgently
As these symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions that are not as serious, it is recommended you keep a record or symptoms diary that you can take to your doctor if any of the symptoms become persistent or troublesome.
Dr Morton says the symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar across all subtypes, so the earlier the diagnosis the better.
“A key message is that persistent or progressive symptoms, even if vague or non-specific, should prompt people to present for further assessment, as Emily and her husband, Luke, did.”
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Ovarian cancer has the poorest survival rate of any female cancer in Australia. A lack of awareness and scientific progress means many women won’t know they have ovarian cancer until it’s too late.
Organisations such as Ovarian Cancer Australia are asking for more research funding, better laws and policies and greater access to affordable treatment options to ultimately provide better outcomes for all those affected.
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and the OCA is asking the public to wear a teal ribbon every day throughout the month to raise awareness of this deadly disease as well as raise funds to help support people affected by ovarian cancer.
OCA’s Annual Giving Day will take place on Wednesday 28th February 2024, with every dollar donated matched to ensure it can continue running the vital support programs. You can donate on the day here.
