My pain proved to be ovarian cancer – mum shares her painful journey

A mum suffering from a life-threatening illness has warned others to prioritise their health at all costs.

Chantell Smit is a 48-year-old mother of two boys who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October last year. A discovery that would change her life forever.

Ovarian cancer is a gynaecological cancer that affects the cervix and the ovaries. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), ovarian cancer is the most lethal cancer worldwide and the third most common gynaecological cancer.

Like most women, Smit had very little knowledge about ovarian cancer.

During her monthly period one month, she experienced menstrual pains that bordered on labour pains.

“I always had painful period pains, but the last time it felt like contractions,” she said.

“I went to see a doctor and he sent me to a gynae.”

After being examined by a gynaecologist, Smit was diagnosed with cancer. Plans to give her chemo treatment got underway.

This was when her life changed. Not only did the cancer affect her body but her quality of life as well.

Smit recalled how ill she was before she started the treatment.

“I could not work anymore. I was so sick and in pain,” she said.

“I drank about 100 pain tablets in five days. I was nauseous and could not eat.

“My stomach was blocked and I could not clean or cook. I slept day and night.”

Since December 2020, Smit says she had lost more than 22kg.

She also remembered experiencing abnormally excessive bleeding.

“You bleed so much that only the hospital can stop it. I bled three times and had to get blood transfusions.”

Smit advised women to go for annual pap smear consultations. This can help detect cancer while it is still early. In her case, it was unfortunately, detected too late and a hysterectomy could not be performed.

She is currently going for radiation every day and chemotherapy once a week, at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

She resides at the CANSA Tipuana care home in Rietfontein where they help people fighting cancer.

“My tumour is starting to shrink. My bladder did not work properly because of the swelling inside and my stomach is also starting to work on its own,” she said.

“The treatment is very tiring but worth it.”

Smit encouraged women to be aware of abnormal menstrual cycles, excessive bleeding and extremely painful menstrual cramps. But, symptoms vary for each person.

CANSA advises women to be aware of the risk factors.

These include:

– Having a history of breast or any cervical cancer in your family.

– Using a copper IUD contraception.

– Older women have a higher risk.

– Women with pre-existing medical conditions such as endometriosis.

– World Ovarian Cancer Day, which took place on 8 May, was a reminder of the disease and how many people are affected by it all over the world.

Visit https://cansa.org.za/ for more information.

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