Lydia Southam, a 37-year-old mother of three, was diagnosed with stage 4 low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) after doctors dismissed her persistent symptoms for two years, attributing them to a hernia and telling her she was too young and fit to have a serious illness.
Southam first began experiencing symptoms in 2021, including heavy periods, a stomach lump, bloating, and frequent urination. She visited her primary care doctor ten times, but her concerns were repeatedly brushed aside. "As a woman you're just told to deal with these symptoms - you have to power through," Southam stated. "Because the [doctor] wasn't concerned I wasn't concerned."
During her third pregnancy, Southam's pain intensified, and she noticed a lump on her abdomen, which doctors again identified as a hernia. She was scheduled for surgery for the hernia, despite her growing unease. "I'd gone in with a lot of pain and I felt like the baby had no space. I was saying it doesn't feel like she has any room to move," she recalled.
After her pregnancy, new lumps appeared on her abdomen and groin, which were also misdiagnosed. It was only when she saw a female doctor during one of her appointments that her symptoms were taken seriously. "I finally went back to the [doctor] but this time I had a female doctor who noticed something wasn't right," Southam said.
Southam pushed for further investigation, despite being told that ovarian cancer was unlikely for someone of her age and fitness level. She was eventually referred to Warwick Hospital in England in June 2023, where testing and a biopsy confirmed her diagnosis of stage 4 LGSOC.
Low-grade serous ovarian cancer is a rare, slow-growing subtype that accounts for two to five percent of all ovarian cancers. The average age of diagnosis is 45, and about 70 percent of patients are diagnosed at stage 3 or later. Symptoms can include abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, fatigue, frequent urination, changes in bowel movements, nausea, and unexplained weight loss.
Southam underwent an extensive surgery that involved the removal of her uterus, cervix, spleen, and parts of her bowel, belly button, and diaphragm. "The way it was described is that it spread far, like seeds had sprinkled everywhere," she said of the cancer's progression. Following surgery, she completed chemotherapy and was deemed to be in remission.
Following her recovery, Southam has become an advocate for LGSOC awareness, participating in campaigns and appearing on a billboard in London to share her story. "It's empowering to know I'm helping others," she stated. 
