Contraceptive Coil Likely Saved Woman's Life by Revealing Ovarian Cancer

Caroline Bailey, 54, believes her contraceptive coil may have saved her life after severe abdominal pain led to the discovery of a 13cm tumor pressing against the device. Bailey was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in June 2023 and has since undergone chemotherapy and surgery, with no evidence of disease remaining.

Bailey experienced sharp, stabbing pains in her abdomen starting in March 2023, initially attributing them to her contraceptive coil. Her pain intensified, leading her to seek medical attention multiple times. Despite her insistence that the coil needed to be removed, she faced difficulties in getting timely appointments and being taken seriously, eventually seeking care at a sexual health clinic where the coil could not be removed. In May, her pain became so severe that she described going to the doctor "on my hands and knees."

During one of her visits, a doctor ordered a CA125 blood test, which can help detect ovarian cancer. Bailey's reading was 72 units per ml, exceeding the 35 U/ml threshold for women over 40. This led to a two-week referral pathway.

Subsequent scans revealed the large tumor, and a biopsy confirmed it was stage three ovarian cancer that had spread to the omentum, a layer of fatty tissue in the abdomen. The NHS lists frequent abdominal swelling, bloating, pain or tenderness, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness as key symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Bailey underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, which reduced the tumor's size. This was followed by a six-hour surgery on October 26, 2023, which included a total hysterectomy, removal of her omentum, and appendix. Following the surgery, she had no evidence of disease.

She later discovered she had gene mutations that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, prompting consultations for a double mastectomy as part of a trial and genetic testing for her family members. Bailey expressed that her diagnosis has made her live more presently and has enabled her daughters to be aware of their own potential risks and consider preventative surgery.

Her experience has led her to advocate for other women to have unusual symptoms checked promptly and to be persistent in seeking medical care. "I've definitely had to change my life because I had cancer," she stated. "My motto is: Be healthy, be happy, be kind."

Ovarian cancer is the 16th most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 7,700 new cases diagnosed annually, according to Cancer Research UK. Data from the Welsh government indicates that in July 2026, 51.3% of women began their first definitive treatment within 62 days of being suspected of having gynecological cancer, falling short of the 75% target.