After experiencing an extreme amount of pain around her ovaries and abdomen, Leonie booked an appointment with her gynaecologist. Following a routine hysteroscopy and biopsy, she was diagnosed with severe complex atypical hyperplasia with focus of Grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinomaI cancer.

Hajeri was diagnosed in 2017 with endometrial clear-cell carcinoma. After surgery and numerous chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy treatments elsewhere, Hajeri’s cancer kept coming back and eventually progressed to different parts of her body, including her lungs. She came to The Royal Marsden earlier this year (2024) and has received treatment through the ATARI clinical trial, which is supported by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity with funding through The Lady Garden Foundation.

Abagail was diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer in 2018 when she was 38 years old. She was referred to The Royal Marsden and underwent chemotherapy and radiation.

"Today, I live a very happy and fulfilled life as a two time cancer survivor and conqueror. My partner Dan and I became grandparents for the very first time on the 7th November 2022. Little Rudo (Rue) is an absolute joy and I feel so grateful to The Royal Marsden for everything they have done for me."

“I just want to shout from the rooftops: book your smears, know the signs and symptoms of all 5 gynaecological cancers and most importantly advocate for yourself. Nobody, and I mean nobody, knows your body like you do!”

"Symptoms of ovarian cancer are so vague, it’s so important to raise awareness so that people know what to look out for and that this is something which can affect younger people too. Catching ovarian cancer early is so important, as it is for all cancers. Catching cancer early can genuinely save lives."

Vikki was diagnosed with cervical cancer shortly after turning 25 years old. She was referred to The Royal Marsden where she underwent surgery and was then cancer free for four years. However, at her five-year scan, her results showed as abnormal.

I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in January 2023. I was devastated just by the word cancer, as I think we all are when we hear it.

“Whatever way you look at it, a hysterectomy is a big thing but to me when a total hysterectomy was the next option I didn’t have to think about it at all”

If you are concerned about your symptoms and you are continuing to be dismissed, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself as you know your body better than anyone.

58-year-old Nicky was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2022, eight months after she'd had surgery to remove a mass from her abdomen.

My advice to all women would be to get to know your gynae parts, and be aware of how your body feels ‘down there’! We are encouraged to check our breasts so why not our vaginas?

I would like to encourage other women to check themselves – if there is something wrong, the sooner you are seen the better, and you know yourself best of all. 

I was diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer in January 2021.

I was 46 years of age.

“Ladies, I feel honoured to stand before you today to share my journey with you, one that has taken me from the peaks of health to the very dark depths of illness, but ultimately, I believe that my journey is one of resilience and one of hope.

Kay died on 4th June 2021 of vaginal cancer aged 42. She lived a happy life and she was loved dearly.

Hello, my name is Amy, I am a 27-year-old solicitor living and working in Manchester. In May 2022 I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, which is a form of womb cancer at the age of 25.

If telling my story means that just one woman is diagnosed early leading to a better prognosis, a better chance, then it is a story worth sharing.

Transferring to the Royal Marsden with a suggestion that “it might be cancer”, I met the phenomenal John Butler. He showed me my scans and I stared at the screen - the tumour was there in black and white, the size of a grapefruit growing in my pelvis and pushing my other organs out the way.

“The message I want to get to women is please “get familiar with your fanny”, we are so good at checking our boobs but how often do we take a mirror to have a good old look down there?”