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Caroline Bailey initially believed the intense and sharp pains she was experiencing in her abdomen were caused by her contraceptive coil. The 54-year-old sought medical help, urgently requesting its removal due to her discomfort. However, scans later revealed that a 13cm (5in) tumour was actually pressing against the coil. In June 2023, Caroline was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer and feared her prognosis might not allow her to live beyond two years. Despite this, after undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, she now has no evidence of disease and has expressed astonishment that the coil may have played a critical role in saving her life.
Since March, Caroline had been battling severe abdominal discomfort, which she attributed to the coil. “I started to have the worst stomach pains – like a stabbing pain in the middle of my abdomen,” she recalled. Multiple visits to her doctor followed, each time insisting on the coil being removed, only to face delays and difficulties. Due to a lack of available NHS appointments, she was referred to a sexual health clinic where staff were unable to assist with the coil removal. By May, her pain had worsened to such an extent that she described crawling into her doctor’s office “on my hands and knees,” desperate for relief. Caroline reflects on how long it took for her concerns to be taken seriously, stating, “I hate how long it took for me to be taken seriously. I wish it was easier for women to get diagnosed.” Despite having been diagnosed with endometriosis in her twenties and no family history of ovarian cancer, she remained convinced the coil was the source of her agony.
During her consultations, Caroline’s doctor ordered a CA125 blood test, a tool often used to support ovarian cancer diagnosis. Although Caroline suspected the coil was responsible, the doctor’s caution led to the test. Her results showed a protein level of 72 U/ml, significantly above the 35 U/ml threshold that Ovarian Cancer Action recommends for further investigation in women over 40. Prompted by these findings, Caroline entered a two-week urgent investigation pathway, which she described as feeling like “this crazy world of, oh my God.” Imaging scans then identified the tumour, and a biopsy confirmed stage three ovarian cancer with spread to the omentum—a fatty tissue near the womb and ovaries.
Caroline underwent four rounds of chemotherapy at The Christie in Manchester, which reduced the tumour from 13cm to 8cm. On October 26, she had surgery to remove her womb, cervix, omentum, and appendix during a six-hour operation, after which no disease remained detectable. Nevertheless, she was warned about the unpredictable nature of ovarian cancer and its high rate of recurrence. Shortly after surgery, Caroline welcomed the birth of her grandson Roman and continued treatment with two additional chemotherapy sessions, alongside follow-up CT scans. Genetic testing revealed mutations increasing her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Now, Caroline is consulting about undergoing a double mastectomy with reconstruction as part of a trial, while her family members are also receiving genetic screenings. Reflecting on her journey, she said: “But the best thing about this, about having ovarian cancer, is my girls know what they’re dealing with and they can have preventative surgery.” Despite the challenges—including moving several times, a divorce, losing her job, and even living out of her car—Caroline emphasizes the importance of recognizing unusual symptoms early and advocating for oneself. Her motto is simple: “Be healthy, be happy, be kind.”
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