Her 'bloating' made her look 9 months pregnant. The ER uncovered what doctors missed
A biopsy report confirmed that Small had stage four metastatic ovarian cancer
When people overlook physical warnings about their health, uncertainty often fills the gaps with fear. They start imagining the worst-case scenarios, turning every small symptom into a possible catastrophe. Well, Becky Small, a 33-year-old mom from Hampshire, can really vouch for it. Back in April, she started noticing unexplained bloating around her abdomen. As time passed, it became so obvious that people suspected she was pregnant and almost ready to deliver. However, after months of misdiagnosis, Small's world came crashing down when doctors confirmed she was suffering from stage four metastatic ovarian cancer on June 1, according to The Mirror.
Unexplained symptoms
Small said before her diagnosis, she had always been healthy. In fact, she rarely fell ill and had to visit a doctor. But on April 22, Small experienced something that changed her life forever. Since her teen years, she had been suffering from “polycystic ovaries." So, when she experienced severe bloating in her abdominal area, she assumed it was that long-time syndrome acting out. But over time, Small's suspicions intensified as the pain traveled to the right side of her back. The pain was so bad that she couldn't even sleep at night. "The only way to describe it was like I was nine months pregnant. I couldn't breathe or walk properly, too," Small, a logistics manager, described to the outlet.
On April 27, Small visited a doctor, who suspected it was only inflammation and prescribed her anti-inflammatory medications along with a urine test. The next day, she visited another doctor for a second opinion. There, she was told she was suffering from an intestinal infection called "gastroenteritis" without proper investigation. However, tension escalated when, even after medications, Small couldn’t feel any better. By May, the woman recalled that her abdomen had become "rock solid," forcing her to visit the hospital again. Once again, doctors examined Small and detected “two lesions” in her ovaries and one in her kidney.
Life-changing diagnosis
Later, a biopsy report confirmed that Small was suffering from “stage four metastatic ovarian cancer.” Her condition was so extreme that four days later, doctors started her chemotherapy. All the while, her husband, Paul, stood by her side and acted as a pillar of support. Her chemotherapy will conclude in September this year, along with a full hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the womb and cervix. Meanwhile, the mom-of-three wants to enjoy the little time she has without worrying that she “may not wake up in the morning.”
The silent threat
Ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers, is an aggressive condition triggered by an abnormal growth of cells around the ovaries. These cells multiply and invade the surrounding organs. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of ovarian cancer are usually not very noticeable, except for subtle indications such as abdominal bloating, weight loss, loss of appetite, and discomfort in the pelvic area. According to OCRA, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of death among women. In 2026 alone, an estimated 12,450 women are thought to be dying from the disease in the US. Each year, 10.4% of 100,000 women die from the disease, per NIH’s National Cancer Institute.
A little hope
In Small’s life, the cancer diagnosis also brought financial struggles. Paul was forced to leave his job; but at the same time, they needed to continue their children’s education, medical treatments, and everyday expenses. To support them, her sister-in-law, Naomi Slade, initiated a GoFundMe campaign. Small will use the funds to enjoy little pleasures with her family, like visiting the park or relishing ice-creams. "It's just things I want them to remember if I'm not here,” she said.
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