Tummy Pain Ignored for 7 Years, Mum Loses Six Organs

A 36-year-old woman endured seven years of dismissed abdominal pain before being diagnosed with advanced cancer, necessitating the removal of six organs. Caroline Padmore reported recurring agony so severe she would collapse, but medical professionals repeatedly attributed it to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome or appendicitis.

Following the birth of her son in October 2024, her pain intensified and was accompanied by vomiting. A GP referral led to ultrasounds and a CT scan in December 2024, revealing extensive tumors. A biopsy in January 2025 confirmed a rare type of ovarian cancer, despite multiple previous ultrasounds during her pregnancy failing to detect the "orange-sized" masses.

Caroline underwent a major surgery in February 2025, leading to the removal of her ovaries, cervix, womb, fallopian tubes, appendix, parts of her liver, diaphragm, omentum, peritoneum, and bowel. This resulted in an ileostomy and surgical menopause, ending her ability to have more children, a consequence she finds deeply tragic.

Doctors initially believed she was too young for cancer, and even during pregnancy, her condition went unnoticed. It was the pregnancy hormones that ultimately accelerated the cancer's spread, making symptoms more pronounced and leading to her Stage 3C diagnosis. Caroline now urges other women to "push, push, push" for answers when experiencing persistent symptoms.

Although recent scans showed no visible cancer, microscopic cancer cells were found during stoma reversal surgery in August 2025. She is now on hormone-blocking medication and undergoing regular monitoring. Despite the setbacks, Caroline remains focused on recovery, reflecting on the "constant state" of healing over the past year.