Normally when you're amidst the throws of passion you won't notice things certain things about your body, things moving and shifting, it's only natural when "doing the deed". But certain things may distress you when they move in your abdomen when they shouldn't and form a noticeable lump after the fact.
This very thing happened to Ellie Taylor-Davis. She was having a good time with her boyfriend when she noticed a painful lump in her abdomen which worried her. She then sought medical advice online, but her symptoms led her to believe that she was merely constipated, boy was she wrong.
Around a month later, Ellie was visiting her OBGYN for a routine procedure to have a contraceptive coil fitted, but the doctor found a large mass inside her. After testing negative on a pregnancy test, Ellie received an emergency ultrasound which revealed a 16 cm malignant tumor on her ovary which had been crushing her internal organs.
Luckily, surgeons were able to remove the mass and since it was discovered early enough the cancer had not spread to other parts of her body through her lymph nodes.
Ellie, a freelance writer out of North London had this to say on the daily mail,
"If I hadn't gone to have the coil fitted, the cancer could have spread much further and I'd be none the wiser.".
Which is why routine checkups including reproductive health, are essential to early detection. Ellie, had a carcinoid tumor, a rare, slow growing tumor that develops in the neuroendocrine system, where hormones are produced. These kinds of tumors are often found too late, when they have already reached the lymphatic system and metastasized. This is because carcinoid tumors are often asymptomatic, luckily for Ellie she was paying attention to her body and regularly went to her doctor.
Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action Katherine Taylor believes women of all ages should be informed about the symptoms.
"The symptoms include persistent bloating, going to the toilet more often, persistent stomach pains and feeling full more quickly," she said.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of the cure; if you feel something strange within your body, have it checked out by a doctor.
What do you think of Ellie's story, did 'grow on you'? Tell us about it in the comment section!
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