One woman's story of literal strength illustrates how ovarian cancer symptoms can be missed—and the lighthearted recovery milestone every care team waits for.
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“How I Knew I Had Ovarian Cancer”: A Patient’s Story Reveals an Unexpected Benefit of Daily Exercise
Published on Mar. 27, 2025
There are the types of cancer you can screen for—like breast cancer with a mammogram, cervical cancer with a pap smear, and colorectal cancer with an at-home kit or colonoscopy. But it’s also important to pay attention to your body because for most cancers, there is no screening.
Ovarian cancer is one of those. Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries, which are two small glands located on either side of the uterus that produce eggs and important hormones like estrogen and progesterone. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 20,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and more than 12,000 die from the disease annually, making it the fifth-leading cause of cancer death among women.
What makes ovarian cancer particularly dangerous is how often it goes undetected until it’s already advanced. The Cleveland Clinic reports that around 70% of cases are diagnosed at stage 3 or 4, when the cancer has already spread beyond the ovaries into the abdomen or other organs.
That’s often because in its early stages, the symptoms can be easy to overlook or dismiss. Ovarian cancer symptoms might include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, and quickly feeling full at mealtime. Many women mistake these signs for menopause, stress, or routine digestive issues. Even doctors may miss the early warning signs, said Kristina Butler, MD, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist in an interview with the Mayo Clinic. “Many gynecologic cancers have vague symptoms,” Dr. Butler said. “Often, patients share symptoms with a provider who isn’t a gynecologist, but it’s important that they voice their concerns to multiple providers until they get the answers they need to know that they’re safe.”
Age is one of the most significant risk factors. Most ovarian cancer diagnoses occur after age 50, with the majority affecting women over 63. Genetics also play a major role. Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are also linked to breast cancer, can significantly increase the risk. Additional risk factors include a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer, endometriosis, and never having been pregnant.
There’s currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer, so understanding your personal and family medical history is key. Knowing your risk factors can help guide meaningful conversations with your doctor.
Ahead, you’ll read the story of Heidi, a 54-year-old woman in Pennsylvania, who experienced symptoms for nearly a year and was told everything was normal. Heidi’s journey is a powerful reminder to listen to your body—and your instincts—and advocate for yourself.
How I Knew I Had Ovarian Cancer: A Patient’s Story
As told to Dr. Patricia Varacallo
I’ve always been an active person—running, lifting weights, doing what I could to stay fit. But I never thought that staying in shape would one day help save my life.
Ovarian cancer symptoms
In late 2021, I started feeling a persistent discomfort in my lower right abdominal area. At first, I assumed it was just a tight hip flexor from running. I’d stretch, it would subside for a bit, but then it would come back. I also had some lower back pain, but since I already have degenerative arthritis in my lower spine, that wasn’t unusual for me.
Then one Sunday in December 2021, I said to my husband, “I’m just going to go to the ER. This discomfort isn’t going away.” They did a CT scan with contrast, and everything came back clear.
By February, I was still going about my normal routine, still running, still doing all the things—but the discomfort was still there. At my annual gynecologist appointment, I brought it up. My doctor ordered a transvaginal ultrasound, but that test came back clear too.
From discomfort to pain
Everything escalated in August of 2022. I was on a Zoom call for work when that “discomfort” suddenly turned into severe pain. I logged off the call and tried to stretch it out on my exercise ball, thinking maybe it was a muscle cramp. For a moment, it started to feel like a spasm, so I took a muscle relaxer and waited. When it seemed to ease up, I got back on my meeting—but the pain came roaring back.
I told my husband, “I think I might have appendicitis,” because it was right where you’d expect that kind of pain. So back to the ER I went.
After waiting four hours in the emergency room, I realized I needed to speak up. I knew something wasn’t right. Thankfully, an ER doctor I knew came by and brought me back to be evaluated. They ran some blood work, and when the results came in, the doctor told me everything looked normal, especially my white blood cell count, which would typically be elevated if I had an infection like appendicitis.
Even though the labs didn’t show anything alarming, they ordered a CT scan just to see what else might be going on.
Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer
I’ll never forget the moment my doctor walked into the room with my test results—he had tears in his eyes. That’s when I knew it was serious. He told me they had found tumors on my ovaries.
From that moment, everything happened fast. I was transferred two hours by ambulance from my local hospital to Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh later that same night.
After a biopsy and further imaging, the diagnosis was confirmed: I had Stage 3C ovarian cancer. That meant the cancer had already spread beyond my ovaries and into the surrounding areas of my abdomen.
My ovarian cancer treatment
To give you a sense of how quickly everything changed: the day before my diagnosis, I ran six miles. I felt strong. The next day, I was told I had cancer. There was no time to process it, no moment to catch my breath. I went straight into “go” mode with my treatment.
Chemotherapy
I started treatment just two weeks after my diagnosis. My frontline chemo drugs were Taxol (paclitaxel) and Carboplatin, which are standard for treating ovarian cancer. I went through four rounds of chemotherapy before surgery, followed by three additional rounds afterward.
Chemo was rough. I lost my hair, and the fatigue was like nothing I’d ever experienced. I could almost set a clock to when it would hit me hardest—days four through seven after each infusion were the worst. That’s when the exhaustion truly took over. Also, my white blood cell counts dropped dangerously low, which meant I had to isolate to avoid infections.
After completing chemo, I started Lynparza (olaparib)—a targeted maintenance therapy used to help prevent ovarian cancer from coming back, especially in patients with certain genetic profiles. I stayed on it for just over a year.
Surgery
I was lucky to be in the care of Dr. Olawaiye, a gynecologic oncologist who is truly one of the best in the country. He performed my radical hysterectomy and debulking surgery, which involved removing my uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, omentum, and any visible cancer in the abdominal cavity.
After the procedure, Dr. Olawaiye told me the surgery went better than expected, which was a huge relief.
I had the operation on a Thursday and stayed in the hospital until Monday. And yes—it’s true what they say: you can’t go home until you pass gas. Once I hit that milestone, I was cleared for discharge.
Recovery
After surgery, I stayed at my dad’s house in Pittsburgh so I could be close to my medical team in case anything came up. I thought I’d only be there for a week, but when my son tested positive for COVID, I ended up staying for two.
Physically, I recovered well. Because of the extent of the surgery and the removal of my omentum (a fatty layer that protects abdominal organs), I later developed a hernia, which isn’t uncommon after major abdominal surgery. I had it repaired last year, but now I’m dealing with a fluid pocket near the mesh, just above the incision.
We’re keeping an eye on it. I’ll likely need to have it addressed, but for now, we’re waiting for my next CT scan to get a better look.
Recurrence of ovarian cancer
The cancer came back at the end of May 2024. I started a new treatment called Elahere, which is a targeted therapy that was approved specifically for ovarian cancer in 2023. Right now, I’m having what doctors call a complete response, which means there’s no visible sign of cancer on my scans or in my bloodwork. I have one infusion left, and if both my CT scan and CA-125 levels still look good, I’ll be done with this round of treatment.
When I was first diagnosed, my CA-125—one of the key markers doctors use to track ovarian cancer—was 2,300. (For context, a normal level is typically under 35.) Today, it’s down to three, and it’s stayed at that level for the last four months.
Elahere hasn’t impacted my blood counts at all, which is great, but it does cause blurry vision for me. I have to see an eye doctor regularly to monitor it. Sometimes treatments are postponed if my blurred vision flares up, but they say that once you come off the drug, your vision typically returns to baseline.
How my life has changed
Life looks a little different now, but I’m still doing my best to stay active and enjoy it. When I was first diagnosed, my doctor told me something that really stuck with me. He said, “You’ve got two big things going for you—you’re young, and you’re in excellent physical shape.”
I’ve always made an effort to stay in shape. I wanted to look good and feel confident in my clothes. I never once thought, Maybe I’m doing this because my body might have to save my life someday. But that’s exactly what happened. I truly believe that staying fit gave me a stronger foundation to face everything that came with cancer treatment.
These days, I’ve had to scale things back a bit. I don’t run anymore, and I’ve eased off the weights because of a hernia and the mesh they used during surgery—it can be a little uncomfortable. But I still move every day. We just got a puppy, so we’re walking him constantly to burn off some of that puppy energy. I try to eat clean about 80% of the time, but I also believe in enjoying life. After everything I’ve been through, I’ve learned how important that is.
Advice for women
My biggest piece of advice? Listen to your body. If something feels off, go to the doctor. If they tell you everything looks normal but you still feel like something’s wrong, go back. Ask questions. Keep pushing. And if your doctor isn’t giving you the answers or the attention you deserve, don’t be afraid to find another one. You have to be your own advocate.
I say that because one of my closest friends was diagnosed with ovarian cancer about six months ago. At first, her doctor dismissed her symptoms as menopause. But she knew something wasn’t right. She’s someone who does CrossFit regularly, and she noticed she wasn’t recovering from workouts like she used to. At first, she thought, Maybe it’s just age. I’m in my fifties. Maybe I need to switch up my routine. So she made changes—but then the bloating started.
She went back to the doctor, and again, they said it was just menopause. Then she developed a cough. She went to the ER and was told it was bronchitis. Eventually, she started spotting—and since she’d already gone through menopause, that was a red flag. She returned to the hospital, finally got a CT scan with contrast, and that’s when they found it: stage 4B ovarian cancer.
That’s why I always tell people: Trust yourself. When something doesn’t feel right, believe that. Cancer isn’t something any of us think will be part of our story. It always feels like something that happens to someone else. But when it does happen, how you respond can make all the difference.
For me, there are three things that help me get through each day: My faith, my mindset, and my support system.
People want to help. They want to be there for you—so let them. That was hard for me at first. I used to feel like I was a burden. But I wasn’t. I would have shown up for any of my friends without hesitation, and that’s exactly what they were doing for me. The hardest part was allowing myself to receive it. But once I did, everything felt a little easier.
What to do if you suspect you have ovarian cancer
If something feels off—persistent bloating, unusual pelvic pain, changes in your appetite, or anything that doesn’t feel like your normal—it’s important to listen to your body and take action.
Start by scheduling an appointment with your OB-GYN. While primary care doctors are a good starting point, OB-GYNs specialize in reproductive health and are often better equipped to recognize potential signs of ovarian cancer. Be specific about your symptoms, when they started, how often they occur, and how they’re impacting your daily life. If your doctor suspects something may be suspicious, they will likely order tests and refer you to a specialist if needed.
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