Sheffield Woman’s Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis delayed After Symptoms Dismissed
Sheffield, UK - A Sheffield woman says her ovarian cancer diagnosis was considerably delayed after repeated dismissals of her symptoms by medical professionals, highlighting a concerning trend of misdiagnosis and delayed care for ovarian cancer patients in England. Natasha Reynolds, 28, experienced persistent symptoms but alleges she received no physical examination from a doctor and her concerns were repeatedly brushed aside.
the case underscores a wider issue revealed in a recent report: a substantial proportion of ovarian cancer diagnoses occur only after patients seek emergency care. According to the national Ovarian Cancer Audit’s State of the Nation Report 2025, 40.1% of the 5,713 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in england in 2022 were diagnosed only after attending A&E. This delay can drastically reduce treatment options and impact survival rates.
“There was no physical examination of Natasha ever by a doctor, which I think is just the most nauseating failure of thier profession, but also their compassion, they didn’t have any,” said Ms. Reynolds’ partner, Tom Holden, 23. “They brushed it off and ignored it.”
Ovarian Cancer Action reports that many women face similar experiences, with their pain being dismissed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), menopausal symptoms, stress, or constipation. “Women are being dismissed; their pain is dismissed and they’re being misdiagnosed along the way,” said Joanne Stanford of Ovarian Cancer Action. “They end up going back and forward so many times before further tests are even being done.”
The Department of Health and Social care stated, “All women deserve to be listened to and treated with respect. It should never be the case that their symptoms are dismissed or diagnosed too late.” The department also announced prioritization of cancer care, reporting 92,000 more people received a cancer diagnosis or were ruled out within 28 days between July 2024 and August 2025, compared to the same period last year.
