Ally Frizelle, the 25-year-old daughter of Gold Coast Titans owners Brett and Rebecca Frizelle, has shared her experience with a rare form of ovarian cancer. The diagnosis came after she noticed her clothes fitting differently during a work trip in late 2023, initially attributing it to weight gain despite maintaining a regular exercise and diet regimen.
Returning to Sydney, Frizelle began experiencing cramps and bloating, prompting her to consult a general practitioner. Trusting her instincts, she requested an ultrasound, which revealed a 16cm tumor on one of her ovaries. Further medical assessments, including blood tests and a CT scan, were immediately advised due to the tumor's concerning characteristics.
"The oncologist called and said, 'It's stage 1A', which is the best you can hope for and it hasn't spread," Frizelle recounted. The testing confirmed a germ cell yolk sac tumor, a rare ovarian cancer classified as stage 1A, meaning it had not spread.
Before commencing chemotherapy, Frizelle underwent fertility preservation, including an egg retrieval process. She then underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, experiencing side effects such as hair loss and fatigue. Despite the challenges, her mother, Rebecca Frizelle, noted her daughter's remarkably positive outlook, attributing it to gratitude for her family, friends, and healthcare team.
Frizelle completed her treatment in late February and has since returned to work and celebrated her 26th birthday. Last week, she received cancer-free test results. She is now sharing her story during the NRL's Women in League Round to encourage other young women to seek medical attention for unusual bodily changes.
"What makes me exceptionally sad is the statistics of ovarian cancer," Frizelle stated. "There's no early detection test and the five-year survival rate is 49 per cent. But if you can detect it in stage one, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90 per cent."
Her mother emphasized that Ally's insistence on an ultrasound, even when doctors initially considered other possibilities like celiac disease, may have been life-saving. The family, who assumed full ownership of the Titans in July 2025, will attend the team's upcoming match against Manly. Rebecca Frizelle reflected that the pressures of rugby league now pale in comparison to their family's ordeal over the past eight months.
