A 30-year-old woman from Queensland, Australia, known for her active lifestyle, received a shocking ovarian cancer diagnosis due to a missed subtle symptom by her doctors.
Gemma Henly, a former personal trainer and instructor, dedicated six years of her life to fitness and motivating women to achieve their personal fitness aspirations. Her passion for her career and fitness filled her twenties with purpose and joy.
However, shortly after celebrating her 30th birthday, Gemma’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
In a conversation with the Daily Mail, Gemma recounted: “The thing that I originally went to the GP about was my menstrual cycle. I was just bleeding for a couple weeks at a time for three of my cycles. I’m pretty in tune with my body. This was not normal for me.”
Initially, doctors attributed her symptoms to a viral infection, but Gemma persisted in seeking answers as her symptoms intensified over two months.
Choosing to consult a different GP, she was sent for an ultrasound to eliminate any possible causes. “Unfortunately, or fortunately I guess, we found it [cancer] and that started a cascade of more tests,” she shared with the Daily Mail.
Gemma was then referred to a gynaecological oncologist who explored options to preserve her fertility. “There was hope that we could potentially preserve my uterus so even if I couldn’t use my own eggs, I could potentially look at like a donor egg option in the future,” explained Gemma.
Tragically, additional tests confirmed that the cancer had spread to her uterus, prompting a total hysterectomy in March, including the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Having completed two rounds of chemotherapy, Gemma is determined to resume her fitness activities, although her recovery journey is ongoing.
Fortunately, her ovarian cancer was detected at Stage 1C, offering a chance for effective treatment.
One of Gemma’s colleagues has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her in returning to “doing what she loves.” The fundraiser emphasizes: “Gemma has already undergone surgery to remove the cancer, but her journey isn’t over yet. She will need ongoing treatment to ensure the cancer doesn’t return, and unfortunately, the surgery and the treatment are both physically and financially challenging.”
The Mayo Clinic notes that ovarian cancer symptoms may not be noticeable in the early stages, but signs to watch for include: