It took a pap smear and a 27cm-long tumour that weighed 700g for doctors to diagnose young Gabriella Haddad with a rare stage two ovarian cancer at just 17.
The Sydney childcare worker was diagnosed on October 22, 2016 after suffering from awful abdominal pain and bloating – but she recalled experiencing bad migraines and nausea since the age of 12.
It wasn’t until she was 16 she noticed the migraines, which often made her bedridden, had became progressively worse to the point where she was missing out on school.
Gabriella Haddad (pictured left) worker was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on October 22, 2016 after suffering from awful abdominal pain and bloating – but she recalled experiencing bad migraines and nausea since the age of 12
It was a pap smear that detected the 27cm long tumour growing on one of her ovaries. Doctors caught the tumour at the perfect time as if it had been left undetected Gabriella would’ve lost her life
Gabriella, now 22, told FEMAIL doctors dismissed her symptoms throughout her teenage years, but she ‘knew something was wrong’ and she was rushed to hospital prior to the prognosis.
‘The tumour was a “teratoma”, which is often a benign cyst found in women over 40, but in my case it had turned cancerous and was growing on my ovary,’ she said.
Doctors caught the tumour at the perfect time as if it had been left undetected Gabriella would’ve lost her life.
Prior to the prognosis Gabriella felt ’emotional’ and ‘alone’ because doctors didn’t know what was wrong.
She also has no family history of cancer and doctors aren’t sure what caused it to occur.
In September she noticed her stomach ‘started to grow’, felt more bloated than normal and had more abdominal pain.
Another fatal sign was that Gabriella didn’t get her period throughout the time leading up to her diagnosis and surgery to remove the tumour.
‘I’m a big believer in God, so I asked him to help me figure this out or show a sign to make doctors figure out what’s wrong,’ she said.
A few days later she was rushed to hospital where a doctor conducted the pap smear that detected the tumour.
Prior to the prognosis Gabriella felt ’emotional’ and ‘alone’ because doctors didn’t know what was wrong
While pap smears are often an uncomfortable process, Gabriella said the pain was horrific.
‘I usually have a high pain tolerance, but the pain was so bad it was almost unbearable,’ she said.
Doctors then conducted an MRI, CT scan and ultrasound to confirm the tumour was there.
Soon after the prognosis the tumour was initially considered to be benign, but the tests determined it to be cancerous.
Despite the rare diagnosis, it was Gabriella’s faith that allowed her to remain calm and positive.
‘It was an emotional time but I had to be strong, and I had faith in God that everything was going to be okay,’ she said.
The following day the tumour was removed through surgery, and two weeks later her affected ovary was removed.
The following day the tumour was removed through surgery, and two weeks later her affected ovary was removed
After speaking to physicians, Gabriella chose not to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy post-surgery as it would’ve only been used as a ‘precaution’.
‘I went through three different doctors and my oncologist suggested waiting – and if the cancer returned she assured me we can ‘monitor it’,’ she said.
‘At the time it was such a difficult decision because I didn’t want to put my body through the treatment if it wasn’t completely necessary.
Following the surgeries she continued to have regular monthly check-up appointments and MRI scans.
For the first two years there was a 40 per cent chance the cancer would return, but thankfully Gabriella has been cancer-free for five years.
‘I feel so blessed and very lucky that I didn’t need chemo because I know this often isn’t the cause for everyone who has cancer,’ she said.
For the first two years there was a 40 per cent chance the cancer would return, but thankfully Gabriella has been cancer-free for five years
Gabriella is now an activist for raising awareness about the awful cancer that impacts so many women worldwide.
‘I encourage you to go get checked – have an ultrasound if you think something is wrong and speak to your doctor,’ she said.
‘I still think there’s not enough said about this awful disease that affects so many women.’
According to Cancer Australia, it’s estimated that 1,720 women have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year.
The estimated number of deaths in 2021 from the disease tips at 1,042.
While it’s not as common as breast cancer, ovarian cancer is more difficult to catch as there are often no obvious symptoms.