Mum issues warning after 'tiredness' turned into devastating diagnosis

A mum-of-three has shared her story in an effort to encourage others to be vigilant about their health, after initially attributing her exhaustion to the menopause, only to receive a life-altering diagnosis. Katherine McBride began experiencing persistent fatigue in her early 50s, but she put off seeking medical attention, thinking she would feel foolish going to the doctor just to report feeling tired. However, after eventually making an appointment, Katherine, now 55, was met with the shocking news that she had stage four ovarian cancer.

At the time of her diagnosis, Katherine's first grandchild was just nine days old, and all she could think about was the guilt she felt in putting her family through such heartache during a time that should have been filled with joy. Katherine recounted: "I remember starting to feel tired a lot – it was a different type of tiredness to anything I had experienced before and I felt exhausted all the time. However, I brushed this off as a symptom of the menopause and, to be honest, felt a bit silly going to the doctor to say I was tired! After a series of blood tests and X-rays, they confirmed it was stage four ovarian cancer – it didn't seem real."

Amongst Katherine's symptoms were also back pain and a bloated stomach. Katherine stated, "I'm now coming to the end of my latest round of targeted therapy, but the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes, so I am soaking up every single minute with family and it has given me a new appreciation of every special moment.", reports the Manchester Evening News.

Katherine opened up about her story, stressing the importance of health awareness in women: "My symptoms could have been easily missed and shrugged off. As a woman, we have a habit of rushing around after everyone else and forgetting about our own health, but it's so important to listen to our bodies and speak to a doctor as soon as possible."

The urgency of her message is underscored by recent data from North West Cancer Research, indicating that ovarian cancer rates in the north west are a shocking 17 per cent higher than the national average. Alarmingly, within the region, Cumbria faces a staggering 41 per cent higher incidence rate than the UK benchmark, while Merseyside has a 26 per cent higher incidence; Lancashire stands at 17 per cent higher; Cheshire is 19 per cent above the norm; and Greater Manchester tips the scales at two per cent over the average.

To paint an accurate picture of the ovarian cancer situation, experts have age standardised Greater Manchester's figures, acknowledging the area's relatively youthful population compared to the rest of the nation. Citing historic economic disadvantage as a key driver for the heightened cancer rates, the charity emphasises the disease's potential impact on the regional community.

Ovarian cancer, which impacts the ovaries – the reproductive glands responsible for releasing eggs in women – might predominantly affect those aged 50 and above, yet all individuals with ovaries need to stay vigilant. Early detection vastly increases treatment success rates, rendering knowledge of the four primary symptoms—an occurrence of roughly 12 or more times a month—vitally important.

Nick Wood, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, raised an alarm on the commonly ignored signs of ovarian cancer: "The signs of ovarian cancer are often brushed aside, or mistaken as being symptoms of other, less serious conditions.

"Early detection is key to effective treatment, so we urge anyone who feels as though something is wrong to listen to their body and see a doctor as soon as possible, as receiving a diagnosis in the early stages could significantly improve your chance of survival." Furthermore, Alastair Richards, CEO at North West Cancer Research, highlighted regional challenges: "In the North West, we face significant deprivation in many areas, which contributes to our cancer rates being above the national average. As a charity, our efforts are focused on addressing this disparity and improving diagnosis and treatment."

He also emphasised the critical nature of early discovery: "Early detection can significantly improve outcomes of ovarian cancer, which is why this latest campaign is calling for people to listen to their bodies and speak to their GP as soon as they can if something doesn't feel right."