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In early 2024, Enlli began noticing changes in her menstrual cycle accompanied by severe pain, but despite her symptoms, she was initially reassured that everything was fine. Feeling increasingly confused and overwhelmed, she described herself as “completely at a loss” and feeling like she was “losing the plot.” Eventually, the pain intensified to the point where she sought emergency care at Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital in Bangor. Subsequent scans uncovered what was thought to be a cyst in her pelvic area. While she continued working as a trainee mechanic, a medical team closely monitored her condition, and she managed her discomfort with painkillers.
Later, Enlli was called back to the hospital for further scans, which confirmed her worst fears: she had stage 3 ovarian cancer, meaning the disease had spread beyond her pelvis. Upon receiving the diagnosis, she recalled, “Being told that I wouldn’t be able to have my own children, I broke down and cried.” Despite the emotional toll, Enlli also found a sense of relief in finally having a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan. She underwent fertility preservation treatment, successfully freezing seven eggs, completed chemotherapy by September 2025, and even passed her driving test a week after finishing treatment. Though she now contends with symptoms such as hot flushes, brain fog, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue—some of which are difficult to pinpoint as either menopausal or chemotherapy-related—she remains candid about these ongoing challenges, admitting, “My memory is absolutely awful.”
Reflecting on her experience, Enlli believes her relatively young age may have contributed to the initial oversight of ovarian cancer as a possible cause of her symptoms. While she does not fault the doctors given the rarity of her case, she hopes her story encourages change in how young women’s health concerns are taken seriously. Around 120 young women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually, and approximately one in 10,000 girls undergo menopause during their teenage years. Enlli emphasized the need for progress, stating, “I want something to be done and for things to change so this doesn’t happen to other young women, who are often not listened to, leading to important things like this being missed.” Motivated by her journey, she has become actively involved in raising awareness about ovarian cancer through social media and public speaking, embracing a newfound confidence and purpose. Enlli has also chosen to pivot her career toward cancer care, aiming to support others facing similar battles. After losing some hair during chemotherapy, she proudly shaved her head, sharing, “I rock the look,” and mentions occasionally wearing a wig when dressing up but usually prefers going without, appreciating the compliments she receives.
Dr. Rebeccah Tomlinson, a general practitioner, described Enlli’s diagnosis as a “rare phenomenon” and acknowledged the difficulty in identifying ovarian cancer due to its often vague symptoms. She highlighted bloating as a particularly important warning sign, explaining, “If somebody mentions bloating to me, I’m going to want to investigate because that is one of the most common signs of ovarian cancer and it often gets put down to irritable bowel syndrome because that’s common.” While ovarian cancer is typically diagnosed in women aged 50 and above, cases in teenagers and younger individuals are reportedly on the rise, according to the Teenage Cancer Trust. Cancer Research UK estimates that roughly 120 people between the ages of 15 and 24 are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the UK, including about five in Wales. Dr. Tomlinson added that timely detection is crucial because, depending on factors like tumour type and stage at diagnosis, treatment without a full hysterectomy may be possible. However, she cautioned that cancers in younger patients can sometimes be more aggressive, complicating early intervention
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