A cancer survivor has revealed the unusual symptom that prompted her to seek medical help.
Dr Amy Morris, a specialist in cancer recovery and herself a survivor of stage 3 ovarian cancer, shared her experience on TikTok. Ovarian cancer typically affects women over 50, but Dr Morris was diagnosed at just 30 years old.
She highlighted that while common symptoms include bloating and bowel changes, her main trigger was heartburn. In her video, she said: “Okay I have to share with you the main symptom that I had of ovarian cancer that actually triggered me to go to the doctor and be examined and this symptom is not what you think. When we hear about the symptoms of ovarian cancer we often think okay bloating, painful sex, changes in your bowel, changes in your period but this was not what happened to me and actually this is not why I went to the doctor.
“I really didn’t have any other symptoms aside from this one thing and it was the only thing that triggered me to go to my family physician. It was heartburn.”
The cancer survivor further explained: “I had this new onset heartburn. It came out of nowhere and I had it constantly.” In a candid revelation, Dr. Morris shared her unsettling experience: “All the time no matter what I ate I constantly had heartburn.
I didn’t have any bloating, no changes in my period, no changes in my bowel, no weight gain, nothing like that. It was really just heartburn and between that and my intuition that’s what pushed me to go see my doctor and get myself checked out.”
Her TikTok video detailing the ordeal has racked up 904,000 views, secured 12,000 likes, and has been favourited by more than 1,800 users, although she has opted to disable the comments section. In a recent update posted yesterday (Thursday, January 16), Dr. Morris disclosed “the truth” about her cancer journey.
In the video’s caption, she reflected on her life before the diagnosis, noting how, despite leading a lifestyle replete with healthy eating and regular exercise, cancer still took her by surprise, stating: “Everyone was surprised it happened to me.” Ovarian Cancer Action, the nation’s leading ovarian cancer research charity, warns: “Abdominal pain indicating ovarian cancer can present itself as a dull ache or feeling of constant pressure or fullness in your tummy.”
They further describe the potential sensations: “The discomfort could be felt throughout your tummy, or only on one side. You may also have discomfort that feels like indigestion or heartburn.”
The NHS lists the main symptoms of ovarian cancer as a swollen belly or sensation of bloating, pain or sensitivity in the abdomen or pelvic region, losing one’s appetite or feeling quickly sated, and an increase in the urgency or frequency of urination. It gives other symptoms such as indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea, back pain, constant fatigue, unexplained weight loss and post-menopausal vaginal bleeding. The NHS advises anyone experiencing these potential signs of ovarian cancer to consult their GP.