Oxford surgeon urging women to get checked for ovarian cancer, following successful operation where baby 'born twice'
Hooman Soleymani Majd hope’s Lucy’s story will encourage others to get checked for ovarian cancer
Oxford surgeon is urging more women to get checked for ovarian cancer, following a successful operation at the John Radcliffe Hospital where a baby was 'born twice'.
Lucy Isaac, 32, was 12 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer following a routine ultrasound scan.
A surgical team, led by Hooman Soleymani Majd, lifted Lucy's womb out of her pelvis - with baby Rafferty inside - in order to remove her ovarian tumour.
Doctors suspected that if they waited until the baby was born before treating the tumour, there would be an increased risk of metastasis – the cancer spreading in the other parts of the body and posing a risk to Lucy's life.
After a five-hour procedure, the cancerous tissue was removed, and Lucy's womb was placed back into position.
Mr Soleymani Majd, a consultant in gynaecological oncology, hope’s Lucy’s story will encourage others to get checked for ovarian cancer and help women feel more confident in the procedure.
He said: “We don’t have a screening programme for ovarian cancer - our advice is always reach out if there are any changes, such changes in the bowel habits, passing urine, appetite, weight, weight loss and night sweats.
“These symptoms are very important and women are usually able to pick these things up very quickly when they're not pregnant, but when they're pregnant, sadly, sometimes they blame the pregnancy changes.”
He added: “After sharing this it would give confidence and boost the morale of many other patients in future. They can understand that we are practising medicine in such a safe environment that we could potentially not only cure and treat the cancer, but also look after the baby at the same time.”
Lucy said: "I had no symptoms before the diagnosis. I feel incredibly lucky that I was not only diagnosed in time, but also able to undergo the procedure without jeopardising my pregnancy.