Woman fighting ovarian cancer had 10 organs removed after symptoms dismissed as IBS
Scots woman fighting ovarian cancer had 10 organs removed
A woman battling a rare ovarian cancer had 10 organs removed months after being told her symptoms were IBS.
Danielle Quinn, 40, from Glasgow, underwent complex surgery to tackle a tumour in December 2022.
But what started as a two hour full hysterectomy turned into seven hours under the knife as medics opted to remove more organs and cells after an MRI revealed anomalies around her abdomen.
She woke up in intensive care after being told multiple organs had been removed from her body. Surgeons had removed her womb, cervix, both her fallopian tubes, both her ovaries, spleen, part of her bowel, part of her diaphragm and omentum.
Doctors diagnosed her with stage 3 low-grade serous carcinoma, a rare form of ovarian cancer.
Danielle, a Finance Manager who also runs a social media content creation business said: 'At 39, being told I would never have children and waking up from surgery having lost 10 organs was devastating.
'I had always been fit and healthy – I'd never even been in hospital before.'
Danielle began to suffer severe abdominal pain and bloating that wouldn't go away. Despite multiple visits to her GP, her symptoms were initially diagnosed as IBS and gastroenteritis
'I knew something wasn't right – I couldn't eat or sleep, and I was in constant pain,' she said. 'Eventually I saw a doctor who recognised the seriousness of my symptoms and sent me for further tests.'
Danielle was rushed into hospital where doctors drained six litres of fluid from her abdomen. She then underwent a painstaking run of tests, scans and hospital days as puzzled medics tried to work out what was going on.
After her diagnosis Danielle opted for hormone therapy over chemotherapy but devastatingly, her cancer returned in October 2024.
Aged just 40, Danielle started to go through the menopause after her surgery but is unable to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) due to her cancer.
She is now raising awareness of the challenges of ovarian cancer on World Ovarian Cancer Day, as she praised the Beatson Cancer Charity for helping her throughout her gruelling treatment.
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She said: 'Going through sudden menopause after surgery has its own set of difficulties,' Danielle explained.
'You're thrown into it with no warning, and because of my cancer, I can't take HRT to help manage the symptoms. It's something we don't talk about enough – I want to change that.'
'The Beatson means everything to me. Hospitals can be overwhelming, but the care and compassion from everyone at The Beatson makes it feel like home. They go above and beyond to make you feel supported, no matter what you're facing.'
A spokesperson from Beatson Cancer Charity said: 'At Beatson Cancer Charity, we're committed to supporting everyone affected by cancer, including those facing less common diagnoses like ovarian cancer.
"We fund vital services, therapies and research that help improve treatment and care for patients across Scotland. Stories like Danielle's highlight just how important it is to raise awareness and ensure people know support is available. On World Ovarian Cancer Day, we're proud to stand alongside patients and families, working to make sure no one faces cancer alone.'
Danielle continues to share her experience on social media to support and connect with others going through similar challenges.
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