'My 14-year-old daughter's rugby ball-sized tumour was almost misdiagnosed'
At 14 years old, Izzy Pickering was led to believe by doctors that her intense pain was period pain or appendicitis. Weeks later, the teenager learned that she actually had a tumour the size of a rugby ball
A mum is urging health officials to introduce ovarian cancer testing for girls after her 14-year-old daughter's excruciating symptoms were dismissed as period cramps – only for a rugby ball-sized tumour to be discovered weeks later.
Lisa Pickering says her daughter, Izzy Pickering, from Sawley in Derbyshire, is lucky to be alive after months of pain, vomiting and fear were repeatedly overlooked.
'You hear of children with leukaemia, but you don't hear of young girls with ovarian cancer,' Lisa said. "They should not have to wait until they are sexually active, as this is proof you don't have to be to get cancer in that area.'
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Izzy first fell ill in November with back pain, stomach aches and vomiting. Her parents took her to the A&E at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham after their GP suspected appendicitis. Doctors suggested it may be period-related and prescribed antibiotics for a possible oesophageal infection.
But Izzy's vomiting continued. By March, she was frightened to eat and was growing weaker. On March 19, Lisa and Wayne brought her back to the hospital and demanded more tests, refusing to leave without more tests.
'Something wasn't right, we know our daughter,' Lisa said.
An MRI was finally ordered on April 20. The next day, the family received the news no parent wants to hear – Izzy had stage two ovarian cancer.
A massive tumour had grown in her ovary, pushing her organs back and anchoring itself to tissue near her spine. 'It was so big, all her organs had been pushed backwards, and it had attached itself to tissue at the bottom of her back.'
It had a "stalk growing in the middle,' said family friend Sarahjane Giles. It was causing all the back pain.
Izzy underwent emergency surgery on March 17, but began bleeding out during the operation. 'They had to pack her stomach, leave her open, and put her in the ICU to stop the bleeding,' Sarahjane said.
She was put in an induced coma for five days – "one small movement and her stitches would've ruptured.'
She received multiple blood transfusions and was taken back to theatre the following day. Doctors now believe they removed the cancer successfully.
By mid-April, Izzy was slowly taken off sedation. She began eating small amounts of food and even managed a few steps. She started a three-month round of chemotherapy on April 25, undergoing treatment five days a week.
'She will lose her hair, and doctors said she will struggle to have children in the future,' said Sarahjane. 'What makes it really sad is that Izzy is a miracle baby herself and has always wanted to be a maternity nurse.'
Lisa is now calling for change. 'Children should have access to screening from when they start their period," she said.
Currently, there is no national screening programme for ovarian cancer in the UK. The disease affects around 7,500 people a year, most of them over 50, according to the NHS.
A spokesperson for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said: "Current evidence does not support population screening for ovarian cancer, even in adults, as there is insufficient evidence that screening reduces mortality and may lead to unnecessary interventions.'
Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham declined to comment on individual cases.
Izzy is currently taking time off from school while her parents take unpaid leave to care for her. A fundraiser launched by Sarahjane has raised £8,345 of a £10,500 target, with all funds going toward travel, wigs and whatever Izzy may need during recovery.
Sarahjane is also running a half-marathon at Carsington Water in Derbyshire on June 21 to raise further awareness.
'Izzy is really bubbly, outgoing and the kindest and most caring young lady. Sarahjane said, "She loves makeup, handbags, singing and is in a drama group.
To support Izzy's fundraisers, click here
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