A woman was rushed to hospital with a melon sized tumour in her ovaries after being told by doctors she just needed 'to lose weight'.
Veterinary nurse Hannah Catton is undergoing life-saving chemotherapy in Australia without her family, as they cannot make the 10,000 mile trip because of Covid travel restrictions.
Hannah, from Faversham, moved to Melbourne in 2019 to work at a veterinary practice before becoming increasingly concerned about her health.
The 24-year-old visited a doctor after suffering from stomach bloating and repeated urinary infections, but was told it was probably stress related and that she should slim down.
But events took a dramatic turn when she collapsed in severe pain while out horse riding in October last year.
She was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer after being taken to Melbourne’s Mercy Hospital for Women where surgeons removed a 20cm tumour from her ovaries.
Ms Catton said: "I was so angry, because for well over two years, I had been suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections and having so many antibiotics thrown at me to fix it.
“For more than a year I’d been going to different doctors trying to find a GP who would listen when I was telling them my periods are irregular and something is wrong.
“The response from them all was ‘you’re stressed, you’re fine, give it time, lose weight’.
“I was living with period pain, chronic fatigue, UTI-like symptoms and being bloated. I knew something was wrong but no doctors seemed concerned.”
While Hannah was planning a 'new life' in Australia, she wanted to come home every year to visit her family in Faversham.
Ms Catton, who studied veterinary science at Canterbury College, said: "Unfortunately, Covid threw a spanner in the works and then I got this horrific diagnosis in October last year.
“The last time I saw my parents and brother was when I said goodbye to them at the airport to travel to Australia almost three years ago so it’s been incredibly hard for all of us."
Despite undergoing emergency surgery to remove the ruptured tumour, Hannah's odds of recovering are high.
She said: "Due to the size of the tumour and the fact that it had ruptured I am now having chemotherapy.
“But I’m lucky that my prognosis is good because many in my situation are not.”
She hopes her story will help other women voice their concerns, even if their GP's think otherwise.
She said: “I have had fantastic support from my friends here in Australia, including my boyfriend Kyall, as well as my many friends back home who have all been incredible.
"It’s incredibly tough for them because all they want to do is jump on a plane to be with me but they’re not allowed."
Her friends have rallied to help her raise funds for daily costs, as her medical insurance is covering the treatment.
An online quiz night is being organised by one of her best friends, Hazel Frost, on Wednesday 26 January.
In Australia, friends have also set up a Gofundme page which has already raised more than $3,000 from supporters.
Ms Catton: "Everyone has been amazing in their support for me for which I am so grateful.
“And as soon as I am well enough, I’ll be flying home for what will no doubt be a very emotional reunion.”
