'Lucky' encounter with doctor inspires retired Ross-shire teacher's mission to save other women from ovarian cancer threat
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A retired Ross-shire teacher has spoken out about her ordeal with ovarian cancer in the hope it could help save the lives of others.
Christine Mitchell says the quick-thinking actions of a GP she consulted whilst on holiday could have saved her life and is keen that other women don't leave anything to chance – particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus crisis.
Ms Mitchell, who is from Ardross, said she feared some women could mistakenly worry they might be a burden to the NHS and might not get tell-tale symptoms checked soon enough.
Early diagnosis saves lives – but less than half of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the early stages.
Ms Mitchell, a former teacher at Dingwall Academy and Goslpie High, shared her story with Highland MSP Maree Todd who is backing calls to better educate people about seemingly innocuous symptoms.
Ms Mitchell is campaigning with Target Ovarian Cancer to share with others that symptoms like bloating, stomach pain, loss of appetite or needing to go to the toilet more often than normal can be warning signs.
She considers herself lucky after the alarm was raised by an eagle-eyed doctor she visited during a trip to Wales back in 2013.
"He told me to go home, see my own GP and start tests right away. I know now I was very lucky to encounter a GP who recognised the symptoms and knew it was important to check things out as soon as possible. From that point everything moved quickly – diagnosis, surgery, chemo."
She said: “Up until that point I would have been unable to name a single symptom of ovarian cancer. I had just arrived for a week’s holiday expecting to climb Snowdon. I had been feeling tired and under the weather for some time but in the week leading up to my holiday I had lost my appetite and was also aware of being more bloated than normal.
“I decided to visit a GP on arrival in Wales so he could give me something to relieve the discomfort and I would then be able to get on with my holiday. Instead he told me to go home, see my own GP and start tests right away. I know now I was very lucky to encounter a GP who recognised the symptoms and knew it was important to check things out as soon as possible. From that point everything moved quickly – diagnosis, surgery, chemo.
“The care I received both in Raigmore and Aberdeen, where I had surgery, was excellent. I was also lucky to have the support of family and friends. My cancer was caught at a fairly early stage and I remain in good health.
“I was lucky but I passionately believe that it should not be down to luck and that every woman should have the chance of beating this disease. Too many women lose their lives to ovarian cancer.”
MSP Maree Todd praised her for sharing her story. She said: “Cancer screening programmes which were initially paused back in March due to the pandemic have since resumed but we are still noticing a significant drop in cancer referrals from GPs. Christine is using her lived experience as a former ovarian cancer patient to advocate and raise awareness of an illness where symptoms are not always obvious or well known."
She said: “During these Covid times we know that folk are reluctant to visit their GP but one of the most vital public health messages right now is that the NHS is still there for you. If you are putting off calling your doctor don’t – please make that call today.”
