“I Thought It Was Bloating, But It Was Ovarian Cancer”

KABUL (Kokcha.News) — “I was nearing my 31st birthday, planning a party with friends. I was active and lived a very healthy lifestyle. I exercised regularly, but something was off. I had constant stomach pain. Even when I didn’t eat bloating foods, my stomach would bloat, and I experienced severe digestive issues. Maybe if I had paid attention to these warning signs earlier, things wouldn’t have gotten so complicated.”

This is part of the story of “Shadab,” a young woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago. After surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy, she is now in a stage where she can say she has survived.

Shadab says the symptoms she experienced before her diagnosis were very similar to common gastrointestinal issues: “Stomach pain, bloating, abdominal pain that I sometimes attributed to the food I had eaten. I didn’t take it seriously until my 31st birthday, when the pain became unbearable, and I had to see a doctor.”

What Are the Common Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
Dr. Amreh Bahrani, a gynecologist, explains that what Shadab experienced are symptoms that many ovarian cancer patients face: “The early signs of this type of cancer are similar to premenstrual syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or bladder issues, which is why they are often not taken seriously by patients.”

According to the doctor, if women experience symptoms like “pelvic pain or pressure, unexpected vaginal bleeding, back or abdominal pain, bloating, feeling full quickly while eating, changes in urinary patterns like frequent urination, or changes in bowel habits like constipation” for more than two weeks, they should definitely see a doctor.

The Diagnosis and Treatment Process
Shadab is one of the millions of women worldwide who quietly developed ovarian cancer. She describes her feelings when she first learned of her diagnosis: “When my doctor said the word ‘cancer,’ my world fell apart. I couldn’t believe it. I kept asking, ‘Why me? I live such a healthy life. I exercise so much!’ But my doctor clearly explained that a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of disease, but it doesn’t mean you’re immune. Cancer has various causes, and genetics also play a role.”

Shadab says that even now, three years after those difficult days, she still feels fear when she remembers that moment: “I was an independent person then, and I still am. When I went to the doctor, I was alone. I didn’t want to worry anyone, but when the doctor started talking, I wished someone was there with me. It was a strange situation. The journey had begun, and I was on the path, but my doctor played a crucial role in my acceptance and recovery. She was straightforward with me, explained the entire treatment process, and told me there would be many challenges ahead, so I needed to be prepared.”

Types of Ovarian Cancer
Dr. Bahrani explains that the lives of ovarian cancer patients are divided into before and after diagnosis: “I’m glad Shadab had a responsible and committed doctor who was transparent with her from the beginning. Ovarian cancer is a complex disease. It’s often not diagnosed early due to its misleading symptoms, but once diagnosed, the most important thing is to follow the treatment process and work on maintaining the patient’s morale.”

According to the doctor, there are several types of ovarian cancer, but the three most common are: “Epithelial tumors, germ cell tumors, and stromal tumors. The most common is epithelial tumors, where cancer cells cover the surface of the ovaries. In germ cell tumors, only the cells that produce eggs are affected, and in stromal tumors, the supportive tissues inside the ovaries become cancerous.”

Dr. Bahrani says that given Shadab’s age, she was diagnosed at the right time: “Ovarian cancer has four stages. I think Shadab was in stage 1 or 2. Only the ovaries were affected, and other parts were not involved. So I must emphasize again: if the symptoms I mentioned persist for more than two weeks, take them seriously and see a specialist.”

The Other Side of Life When Cancer Is With You
In the fall of 2022, Shadab was shuttling between hospitals for a series of tests to determine the severity of her condition: “My doctor insisted that we start treatment as soon as possible. X-rays, blood tests, and biopsies were the first steps. A few days later, when the test results were ready, they performed a biopsy, and the agonizing wait began. It took three weeks to find out what stage I was in.”

Shadab says that although she is an independent and solitary person, the grueling and complex process of ovarian cancer treatment forced her to accept the kindness and support of her close friends and family: “They went above and beyond. I didn’t know if surgery was waiting for me, or if I would need chemotherapy and radiation afterward. Those three strange weeks, I saw everything through a haze of dust and fog. I was very lucky. The psychological and physical support from my loved ones during the treatment process was like a miracle.”

Three weeks later, Shadab received a call from her doctor: “When the biopsy results were ready, they called me. I tried to gauge the situation from the tone of the voice. When I found out I needed surgery and a round of chemotherapy, I felt hopeless. I thought it was over. I was crying and couldn’t hear my doctor’s voice, but she believed everything was better than I thought. She said that with surgery to remove the ovaries and at most one round of chemotherapy, I would return to a normal life.”

Shadab sighs deeply: “Everyone who heard about it said, ‘What a shame, you’ll never be a mother. You’re so young, consult other doctors.’ Maybe if I were a woman for whom motherhood and marriage were essential, everything would have been much harder. I never intended to become a mother in my life. Removing my ovaries was like removing my appendix. I had the surgery, and then I started chemotherapy.”

According to Shadab, adapting to the new conditions required a lot of mental and physical strength: “I had some advantages, and I know having them made the difficult conditions more bearable for me. A good doctor, supportive friends and family, and insurance—I didn’t have financial problems, and the absence of any of these would have been a major challenge and an additional burden on patients and their loved ones.”

She says the only thing she would recommend to ovarian cancer patients is: “Be kind and gentle with yourself. Our focus should be on rebuilding the body and mind that the disease and its effects have worn out, even after full recovery. Spend time with your loved ones, not with people who are judgmental, read about the disease, survivors, and facing new challenges with those who care about you, and try to enjoy life.”

The Art of Listening to Fellow Sufferers
One of Shadab’s good experiences was talking to people she met during the treatment process: “When I saw people who were in similar situations, it was easier to talk about my feelings with them because I felt we understood each other well. Hearing about their challenges and problems and learning from their experiences made me realize I wasn’t alone in the treatment journey. I felt encouraged when I saw someone who had beaten the disease. On the other hand, the fact that sometimes we do our best but it doesn’t work out also became tangible and acceptable to me.”

Prevention Is Better Than Cure—It’s Not Just a Slogan
Dr. Bahrani says one of the biggest concerns for ovarian cancer patients is the cost of treatment, which can be overwhelming without proper insurance. She tells Kokcha.News: “I often tell my patients to take Pap smears, regular check-ups, and self-examinations seriously, and they say it’s expensive. But the reality is that a yearly check-up and ensuring your health is a small cost compared to the cost of falling ill and undergoing treatment, even if the diagnosis is timely.”

Referring to Shadab’s case, she says: “Many people might think, ‘Well, this person who exercised and had a healthy lifestyle and diet also got cancer,’ but the truth is that no one is immune to ovarian cancer. However, the strength and health of the body play a significant role in the treatment and recovery process. People like Shadab, who have been exercising and eating healthy for a long time, go through the treatment process with fewer side effects and better results.”

According to Dr. Bahrani, women who survive ovarian cancer should continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle: “Following a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and a healthy life are things that should continue even after recovery. We usually recommend that they be under the supervision of a nutritionist, but if that’s not possible, healthy eating patterns can be achieved with the help of online resources and consultations.”

A Word to Doctors and Caregivers
Dr. Bahrani believes that one of the problems faced by ovarian cancer patients is caregivers and doctors who either give false hope or brutally discourage patients and their families: “I understand that a cancer diagnosis, including ovarian cancer, is terrifying. I understand that people sometimes resist accepting their condition, but as doctors and caregivers, we must be careful. Don’t give false hope. Don’t say, ‘It’s nothing, you’ll be fine,’ without reason. On the other hand, don’t act like this is the end of the line and there’s no hope for recovery. We doctors must be transparent and empathetic, take the time to answer the patient’s and their family’s questions, suggest the right paths for improvement, treatment, or control, and leave the patient free to choose their treatment path. Remember, even when we’re scared, courage is necessary to get through this journey.”