Health

Mum Mistook Cancer Symptoms for Menopause, Urges Women to Act Quickly

Published on May 20, 2025

A mum-of-three who initially believed her symptoms were caused by menopause is now urging women to trust their instincts after receiving a devastating diagnosis of stage four ovarian cancer. Katherine McBride, 55, from Preston, began experiencing unusual fatigue in her early 50s. She brushed it off as part of the natural ageing process.

“I remember starting to feel tired a lot – it was a different type of tiredness to anything I had experienced before and I felt exhausted all the time,” Katherine recalled. Feeling unsure about the severity of her symptoms, Katherine delayed seeking medical help. “I felt silly going to the doctor to say I was tired,” she admitted.

But after undergoing several blood tests and X-rays, doctors confirmed she had stage four ovarian cancer. “It didn’t seem real,” she said. “My first grandchild was just nine days old when I got the news, and all I could think of was how guilty I felt for putting my family through such heartache at what should have been a wonderful time for us all.”

In addition to extreme tiredness, Katherine experienced persistent back pain and a bloated stomach. Now undergoing targeted therapy—despite the cancer having spread to her lymph nodes—she is making the most of every moment with her loved ones, told Liverpool Echo.

“I’m soaking up every single minute with family, and it has given me a new appreciation of every special moment,” she said. “My symptoms could have been easily missed and shrugged off. As women, we often put others first and ignore our own health, but it’s so important to listen to our bodies and speak to a doctor as soon as possible.”

Katherine’s story comes amid new findings from North West Cancer Research, which reveal that ovarian cancer rates in the North West of England are significantly above the national average. In Cumbria, rates are 41% higher; Merseyside 26%; Lancashire 17%; Cheshire 19%; and Greater Manchester 2% higher, even after adjusting for the region’s younger population.

Ovarian cancer primarily affects women over 50 but can occur at any age in those with ovaries. Early detection is vital. The key symptoms include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, and needing to urinate more often. Additional symptoms can include indigestion, back pain, unexplained weight loss, and post-menopausal bleeding.

Nick Wood, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “The signs of ovarian cancer are often brushed aside. Early detection is key, and we urge anyone with concerns to see their GP promptly.”

Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, added: “Early diagnosis saves lives. If something doesn’t feel right—act. Don’t delay.”