My path to diagnosis:
I was incidentally diagnosed with stage 3C LGSOC in February 2025 following an unrelated procedure. I had no noticeable symptoms prior to this. I was 41 at the time of diagnosis.
In December 2024, I noticed a small umbilical hernia after finishing work. I saw my GP the next day, who was unable to reduce it and referred me to the hospital. There was a cancellation, and I was offered surgery to reduce the hernia on the same day. During the procedure, the surgeon noted that my hernia sac looked unusual, so they sent samples to pathology. The biopsy came back positive for LGSOC. The hernia was not related to the cancer; it was purely coincidental that it developed when it did.
My experience of living with LGSOC:
Being diagnosed with LGSOC divided my life into two eras: before and after.
Before my diagnosis, I was a very fit, physically active woman with no underlying health problems. I was three months away from finishing my master’s degree at university and was also planning a family with my boyfriend after completing my university commitments. Being diagnosed meant that, in the space of three weeks, I was put into surgical menopause, became infertile, and had to learn how to live with an ileostomy. I had to come to terms with the fact that I will never have biological children of my own. The transition was also traumatic because I became a patient at the same hospital where I work as a nurse.
While things were incredibly hard, there is a silver lining. I am back at work full time. I can still enjoy life and travel. I have a very busy and fulfilling life. So much has changed, and yet many things haven’t. Life is very much worth living, and I cherish it immensely.
My words to someone going through this:
Life will be different, but you will still have a life worth fighting for. There is a lot of help available, let people support you. You do not have to be positive all the time to cope well.
Why research on LGSOC is important to me:
Research is important to me because LGSOC is a rare and often misunderstood form of ovarian cancer, with limited treatment options and evidence to guide care. Being diagnosed with LGSOC has shown me how incredibly important it is to improve understanding of the disease, find more effective treatments, and support early detection. Most of us are diagnosed young, often in our prime. We still have so much to give and experience, and we are in desperate need of more treatment options.
We are grateful to Wioletta for sharing her experience with low-grade serous ovarian cancer and for helping us raise awareness. If you would like to share your story too, find out more here.
