Media Release
Date: 23 March 2026
Women urged to check for symptoms of ovarian cancer
A woman treated for ovarian cancer at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is calling on others to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Christine Grant, 68, from Trowbridge, went to her GP after she found she was having to get up a lot during the night to urinate. Initially, it was thought this was down to her age and an oversensitive bladder.
However, Christine then began struggling to go the toilet. She thought it was cystitis but her GP recommended she go for an ultrasound.
The scan showed a mass in her pelvis and the biopsy that followed confirmed it was ovarian cancer.
Speaking during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Christine said: "The news that it was cancer was devastating, but I already had a bad feeling that was what it would be. My daughter is a medic and she had done her best to prepare me for the news.
"I got the diagnosis in the summer and really thought I might not make it to Christmas. But once I met with the consultant at the RUH I felt much more positive. She was fantastic – she spoke very honestly with me but gave me a lot of hope too."
Christine began chemotherapy straight away, followed by surgery for a full hysterectomy. She then signed up to a research trial at the RUH which saw her receive immunotherapy treatment, which involved an infusion every three weeks.
Chrstine said: "It has been very tough at times, but I'm in remission now which is just fantastic.
"The care and support I received at the RUH was excellent – everyone has been so caring.
"My message to women is to make sure you get checked as soon as something doesn't feel right. It might be nothing, but it's always better to know and finding a problem early means it's more treatable."
Each year 7,400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK. Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries. It mostly affects women over the age of 50 but can affect anyone who has ovaries.
The main symptoms of ovarian cancer are frequently having:
- a swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between your hips
- no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often
You can find lots more information and advice, as well as where to go for help and support, on the NHS website:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
ENDS