Linda Drew
Linda Drew, from the Vale of Glamorgan, didn’t know about ovarian cancer until she was diagnosed and believes lack of awareness is a problem preventing people for receiving timely treatment.
“I saw this list and I’d literally ticked every one: the bloated stomach, stomach pain, needing to wee more often, extreme fatigue. If I’d seen one of those posters a year before, at least I would have said to my doctor, ‘Look, can I have this? I think I’ve got this ovarian cancer.’,” said Linda in her testimony to the Committee.
Her symptoms were mistaken for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and urinary tract infections, which have similar symptoms to ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, this misdiagnosis is common for women. She was seen by five different doctors at her surgery, but it was a conversation with a friend which eventually led to her diagnosis.
“I went out for dinner my friend and her husband who is a surgeon. I explained to him my symptoms, and he asked me 3 or 4 questions and asked if he could feel my tummy. The next day he said “I’m going to get you in” and he knew that day that something was wrong.”
Linda’s been cancer free for 13 years. Surgery to remove two large cysts, one 22cm, the other 17cm, was successful. Now, she shares her story whenever she can to help other women.
“They call it “the silent killer”, because by the time you’re diagnosed, it’s too late. So, at any opportunity, I raise awareness of the symptoms…and that there’s no need for so many people to die of ovarian cancer, because there are symptoms.”
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