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Anxiety Mistaken for Cancer: Woman's Battle Exposed
15 Oct
Summary
- Doctors initially dismissed severe symptoms as anxiety for nearly a year.
- A 13cm tumor was discovered after a year of escalating nausea and pain.
- Terminal diagnosis given, with 12 months estimated to live as of September this year.
Maryann Rowe, a 57-year-old cleaner from London, endured a year of worsening symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, which were initially attributed to her decade-long anxiety diagnosis. Despite numerous doctor visits and being on anti-depressants since 2016, her condition escalated, leading to severe abdominal pain by September 2025.
Admitted to St Helier Hospital, a physical examination revealed a mass, and subsequent tests confirmed a 13cm tumor. Transferred to the Royal Marsden Hospital, Maryann was diagnosed with stage three ovarian carcinosarcoma. She underwent a full hysterectomy with HIPEC treatment in November 2025, discovering the cancer had spread to her bowels.
Despite further chemotherapy, her cancer continued to spread. In September 2026, doctors delivered a terminal prognosis, estimating Maryann has approximately 12 months to live. Her daughter, Chelsea Rowe, is fundraising to create cherished memories during this time and ensure her mother's comfort.
Maryann and Chelsea now advocate for greater awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms, urging others to seek medical attention for unexplained pains or changes. They hope to extend Maryann's prognosis beyond the estimated 12 months.
