An inspiring Monaghan woman who was recently diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer is using her voice to encourage others to speak out about women's health issues.
26-year-old Sarah Nally received the shocking diagnosis back in October after suffering with reoccurring UTI's.
While Sarah admits her recovery has been excruciating so far, especially after she underwent life-changing surgery at the start of last month, Sarah is determined to turn her pain into hope for others who are going through something similar.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Sarah revealed: “Back in September I was working as a lecturer at the University of Limerick.
“My symptoms became more severe and I found myself being in work for 7am but I couldn’t work past two o’clock and was in my bed from 3pm onwards.
“After three weeks, I reluctantly went to doctor on call. My bloods came back perfect and there was no evidence of anything, however an odd shadow was discovered through an ultrasound.”
Three days later, Sarah was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, with doctors informing the 26-year-old that one of her tumours was the size of a baby’s head.
Speaking out about that time, Sarah said: “It caught me completely off guard. My tumours were simmering for at least one year prior to the diagnosis.
“If I look at my track record in the 12 months leading up to that, I was shut down by a number of GPs and hospitals on different occasions when I went to seek help and advice in relation to my symptoms.
“I feel like I was neglected and I feel this is the way for a lot of women both North and South of the border.”
USING HER VOICE TO HELP OTHERS
Sarah believes that by speaking out about her cancer journey, she will hopefully inspire other women to get themselves checked out by a medical professional if they think something is wrong.
“Since coming out, I’ve been quite vocal with my diagnosis. I don’t think it is right to supress women’s voices," she explained.
“I think every woman knows when there is something wrong with her body and I don’t think we should be questioned as much as we are being.
“If my voice had of been heard two years ago there is a good chance the cancer would not have progressed to this stage. I would have been able to salvage a lot of what was taken from me during my most recent surgery last month.
“It has been extremely difficult for me and my family. If you think of what could have been done two years ago it would break your heart, like in many other cases in relation to women’s health, this could have been prevented.”
LISTEN BACK TO SARAH’S FULL STORY:
Abdominal bloating or swelling, quickly feeling full when eating, weight loss or weight gain, discomfort in the pelvic area, fatigue, back pain, changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, a frequent need to urinate.
