Mum’s ‘Period Pain’ Dismissed for Years Before Stage Three Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
Manchester, UK – A mother-of-two from Manchester is speaking out after a four-year battle to be taken seriously by doctors culminated in a stage three ovarian cancer diagnosis. Chelsea Davies, now undergoing chemotherapy, says years of debilitating symptoms were repeatedly attributed to her menstrual cycle or diet, leaving her feeling “hopeless” and fearing the worst.
For over four years, Chelsea returned to doctors more than ten times, reporting persistent and worsening symptoms. Medical professionals initially dismissed her concerns, suggesting links to her period or dietary habits. She was even prescribed blood thinners after a small clot was found in her left lung, later determined to be insignificant. “I felt hopeless and convinced it was something more serious,” Chelsea said. “My body was failing me and I had it in my head that it was cancer.”
the breakthrough came in May 2025 when Chelsea was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester and underwent an MRI scan of her pelvis. Specialists discovered lesions on her ovaries, leading to a diagnosis of stage three ovarian cancer.
That same month, Chelsea underwent an emergency hysterectomy, along with the removal of her appendix and part of her bowel, as doctors revealed the extent of the cancer. She is now completing a six-month course of chemotherapy.
“I was devastated and furious,” Chelsea stated. “They told me the cancer must have been in me for a while, but no one caught it. And now my body was covered in masses; they had to remove almost half my organs.”
The diagnosis has also left Chelsea facing the heartbreaking reality that she will be unable to have more children naturally. “I wanted a whole football team, but that’s not possible anymore,” she added.
Chelsea’s experience highlights the challenges many women face in receiving timely diagnoses for serious illnesses. She expressed her support for “Jess’s law,” a campaign aiming to improve awareness of cancer symptoms and reduce diagnostic delays. “For years, I thought I was crazy – and had to ask my friends if they thought I was overreacting to my symptoms. Even though I’m grateful I finally know I have cancer, I can’t help but think it’s too late. Hopefully, Jess’s law can prevent people from ending up in the same situation as me. My future would probably look entirely different.”
