I was told to ‘lose weight’ to cure fatigue but now I am fighting for my life 10,500 miles from home
A BRITISH woman told by doctors her fatigue was due to being overweight found out the truth was far more sinister.
Hannah Catton is now fighting for her life - and is 10,500 miles away from her home of Faversham, Kent, while in Melbourne, Australia.
Hannah, 24, moved to Melbourne in 2019 to work at a veterinary practice before becoming increasingly concerned about her health.
She visited a doctor after suffering from fatigue as well as stomach bloating, repeated urinary infections and irregular periods.
But she claims she was told it was probably stress-related and that she should slim down.
Hannah said: "For more than a year I'd been going to different doctors trying to find a GP who would listen when I was telling them my periods are irregular and something is wrong.
"The response from them all was 'you're stressed, you're fine, give it time, lose weight'.
"I was living with period pain, chronic fatigue, UTI-like symptoms and being bloated. I knew something was wrong but no doctors seemed concerned."
Events took a dramatic turn when Hannah collapsed in severe pain while out horse riding in October 2021.
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It was then discovered that Hannah had a melon-sized tumour on her ovaries that had ruptured.
She was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer after being taken to Melbourne's Mercy Hospital for Women where surgeons removed the 20cm tumour.
Hannah said: "I was so angry, because for well over two years, I had been suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections and having so many antibiotics thrown at me to fix it.”
Ovarian cancer is diagnosed in almost 7,500 women in the UK every year, taking the lives of 4,200.
The risk of diagnosis sharply increases from middle-age, with most women diagnosed after the menopause.
But around 1,000 women under the age of 50 are still diagnosed every year, which is why it’s important younger women still know the symptoms, says.
Only 35 per cent of patients in the UK live for at least 10 years post diagnosis.
Fight for life alone
Despite undergoing emergency surgery to remove the ruptured tumour, Hannah's odds of recovering are high.
She said: "Due to the size of the tumour and the fact that it had ruptured I am now having chemotherapy.
"But I'm lucky that my prognosis is good because many in my situation are not."
Hannah has had to face life-saving chemotherapy in Australia without her family, as they cannot make the trip because of Covid travel restrictions.
She was planning a “new life” Down Under, having studied veterinary science at Canterbury College, and had planned to come home every year to visit her family.
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Hannah said: "Unfortunately, Covid threw a spanner in the works and then I got this horrific diagnosis in October last year.
"The last time I saw my parents and brother was when I said goodbye to them at the airport to travel to Australia almost three years ago so it's been incredibly hard for all of us.
"I have had fantastic support from my friends here in Australia, including my boyfriend Kyall, as well as my many friends back home who have all been incredible.
"It's incredibly tough for them because all they want to do is jump on a plane to be with me but they're not allowed."
While Hannah’s medical insurance is covering the cost of treatment, her friends have set up a to raise money for costs such as petrol to and from the station, and general living costs while she isn’t working.
Hannah said: “Everyone has been amazing in their support for me for which I am so grateful.
"And as soon as I am well enough, I'll be flying home for what will no doubt be a very emotional reunion."
Hannah hopes her story will help other women voice their concerns, even if their GP's think otherwise.
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The key symptom of ovarian cancer is persistent bloating.
Feeling full quickly, pelvic or abdominal pain and urinary problems are also signs, on top of the general cancer symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, and changes in bowel habits.
