BLOATED?

THEN HAVE IT CHECKED

In February 2015, magazine photographer

Liz Cotter, now 53, was shocked to learn she had advanced ovarian cancer. “I had been to see my GP because for more than year I was getting sharp pain in my abdomen and feeling very bloated and tired. I knew something wasn’t right. As a precaution he sent me for a scan, which led to further tests. Two days later he looked grey when he told me I had advanced ovarian cancer that had spread to other parts of my body.

“I was in too much shock to cry – instead I felt strangely detached from my body. I had always led such a healthy lifestyle. I swam to keep fit, read nutrition books, ate a healthy diet and only drank a little alcohol, so I couldn’t believe I had cancer.

“One week later I had eight and a half hours of surgery. Three weeks later I started chemotherapy, which made me feel sick and lowered my immunity. It kept the cancer at bay for 14 months, but in September 2016, it returned. Since then I have had another round of chemotherapy treatment.

“Looking back I realise I had signs of ovarian cancer for about three years, but I put them down to other causes. So I want women to know that if you have ongoing digestive or gynaecological issues and they change or worsen, even if you think you know the cause, have them thoroughly investigated. I have just started immunotherapy drugs as part of a trial. I am hoping they help prevent more cancer growth. Meanwhile, I live my life as fully as possible and try to make the most of every day.”