A young woman whose GP sent her home with paracetamol after she complained of ovarian cancer symptoms has been left devastated after she was later diagnosed with the illness and left infertile.
Jordanna Saye, from Paisley, first visited Dr Richmond and Partners, in Linwood, in February 2022 complaining of stomach pain, bloating, feeling full very quickly and needing to pee more often - all common symptoms of the disease.
The 27-year-old had been diagnosed with endometriosis in 2015, and a tumour in her left ovary in 2017 that was thought to be connected to the condition. She was being monitored for early signs of ovarian cancer with Ca125 blood tests - which test for protein.
But despite results returning with high test markers last year, a GP told Jordanna she was "too young for cancer" and sent her home with paracetamol for the pain that was "likely connected to her endometriosis".
Speaking to the Record she said: "I first went to the doctors in February last year with more or less all the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
"They just kept palming me off. The doctor said I was too young to have cancer and the pain was likely to be my endometriosis - but it was a different type of pain.
"I was going to the doctors with symptoms every month and I was given paracetamol. I ended up going to hospital because the pain was so severe. I was really going downhill."
Jordanna lost three stone in just 10 months as her health continued to deteriorate, and began to suffer back pain and fatigue. After demanding further tests she was referred to a gynaecologist.
She received care at three hospitals and an MRI scan revealed an abnormality on her left ovary. She was then diagnosed with low grade ovarian cancer on December 7, 2022 - nine months after contacting her GP.
Medics initially believed she would only need surgery on her left ovary and Jordanna booked in for a course of IVF so she could have a baby with her partner Chris.
During the operation, surgeons found the cancer had spread to both of her ovaries, her womb, pelvis and further up her abdomen.
On December 13, Jordanna had a full hysterectomy and was left devastated as her dreams of having children were crushed. She will now begin chemotherapy to treat Stage 3 low grade ovarian cancer.
She continued: "I was due to start IVF on December 17th, and I was so excited.
"Then I was told the cancer had spread. I will never be able to have a family - that has changed my life. I'm only 27 and knowing I'll never have a baby is hard.
"I'm terrified about starting my treatment. There is no guarantee it will work but I want to give myself the best chance. My hysterectomy is now causing menopause symptoms too.
"I had to sit down with my mum and make life-changing decisions. I've lost all faith in the NHS."
Jordanna will start six rounds of chemotherapy on February 17 and then begin hormone suppressants for five years. She is also now at a higher risk of developing a secondary cancer.
She hopes sharing her story will encourage others to push their doctors for further tests if they believe something is wrong.
She added: "I'm now having chemotherapy and can't ever have a family because GPs didn't listen. Don't let a doctor tell you your symptoms are nothing.
"If you know something is wrong, push for a test or you could have everything taken away from you like I did."
Jordanna is sharing her cancer journey on social media. She has welcomed anyone going through a similar experience to get in touch.
She is fundraising for Pretty Muddy for Cancer Research and donations can be made by clicking here.
A spokesperson for NHSGGC said: "Although we cannot discuss individual cases, we are sorry to learn of this patients concerns. If they get in touch with us, we will attempt to address any concerns they might have.
“NHSGGC’s priority is to ensure the best treatment for our patients with staff across our services continuing to work hard to provide the highest standard of care during these challenging times.”
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