A 17-year-old medical student who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer while throwing up outside A&E due to a 14cm cyst wrapped around her fallopian tube is now studying to be a doctor and says her diagnosis has only made her “more determined.” Elena Espinosa Cabrera, 20, from north Devon, was studying for her medical school entrance exams at the University of Edinburgh when she went to A&E with pain in her abdomen that she mistook for a muscle strain.
A 14cm cyst was discovered wrapped around her right ovary, and she described being diagnosed with ovarian germ cell cancer as a “huge shock” that has strengthened her resolve to pursue a career in medicine. Elena is not in remission after nine rounds of chemotherapy, but her cancer is now classified as “inactive.”
“Being in the hospital environment was very interesting for me because it’s the field I want to go into, despite the fact that it was from the wrong perspective,” she said. My diagnosis has strengthened my resolve to become a doctor and help others.”
Elena first noticed symptoms in November 2020, when she felt pain in her right side. “I was studying for an exam at the time, and one morning I woke up with a strain on the right side of my abdomen, it felt like a muscle strain,” she explained.
Elena tried to concentrate on her exam preparation but found it difficult as the pain worsened, and when she couldn’t sit still at her desk any longer, she dialed 111. She was told to go to A&E.
“The pain became unbearable,” she explained. I don’t usually complain, but I couldn’t take it any longer. My mother left work to accompany me to A&E. I was in so much pain by the time I arrived that I was throwing up outside.”
“I was admitted right away,” she explained, “but doctors couldn’t figure out what was causing the agony.”
Elena was scheduled for an ultrasound the following week after initial theories of appendicitis and kidney stones were ruled out. Elena had her exam on Monday and her scan on Tuesday, where a sonographer discovered a 14cm cyst wrapped around her right ovary.
“They explained that the pain was caused by the cyst being twisted around my fallopian tube,” Elena said. It was also getting bigger and needed to be removed right away.”
Elena had a laparotomy three weeks later to remove the cyst, which was then examined to see if it was cancerous. Elena was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian germ cell cancer in November 2020.
The germ cell Ovarian tumors develop from ovarian cells that mature into eggs (germ cells). They are uncommon and usually affect girls and young women in their early twenties.
The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are feeling bloated or having pain around the pelvis and stomach that is not related to your period, and having difficulty eating because you feel full quickly. “It’s possible I’ve had it since birth, and the cyst has grown with me,” Elena explained.
“It was a huge shock because you think you’re invincible when you’re young.” You never expect to be diagnosed with cancer.
“I had my right ovary removed a month after my first procedure.” Following that, it was hoped that I was cancer-free, but in August 2021, I began feeling extremely ill.”
Elena struggled to get out of bed due to a persistent cough and shortness of breath. Following advice from her doctor, she had an x-ray and was then rushed to A&E.
“I’d convinced myself I had long Covid,” Elena explained, “but it had gotten to the point where I couldn’t walk up the stairs without stopping every few steps, which isn’t normal for a young person.”
The next day, the then-18-year-old underwent a biopsy and learned that her metastatic ovarian germ cell cancer had returned. “I was relieved to hear that,” she said. “That may sound strange, but a second type of cancer less than a year later would have felt even more unlucky.”
Elena was taken to Western General Hospital and started on emergency chemotherapy. “I had the treatment up until Christmas 2021,” she explained. My last session was on Christmas Eve. I recall feeling extremely ill while driving home for Christmas. I was exhausted and spent a lot of time on the couch. I was puking about five times a day.
“I had five more intense rounds of chemo until February, when I began immunotherapy.” I have that every three weeks, and traveling down from Edinburgh causes some disruption in my life. Three weeks seems to pass very quickly.
“Because of a hormonal imbalance, the immunotherapy caused me to experience menopausal symptoms.” I haven’t had a period in many years. “I lost my hair during chemotherapy, but it is growing back.”
Elena returned to university in September 2022, after taking a year off. “I was really adamant that my life go back to normal as soon as possible because I just want to get stronger again,” she explained.
“I had immunotherapy after chemo, which I finished just before starting university, and I now have check-up scans every three months.”
The mass is now inactive and is 2mm in size. Elena says that studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh has given her a unique perspective on her future career.
“I found the hospital environment really interesting, even if I was witnessing it from the wrong perspective,” she said. “I was able to talk to clinicians and specialists, so I learned a lot through the process, and I know that will help me so much in my career,” she added.
“The Teenage Cancer Trust places a strong emphasis on life after cancer because a cancer diagnosis completely destabilizes you and forces you to play catch up with the people around you.”
Elena expresses her gratitude to the charity for its assistance. “I literally would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Teenage Cancer Trust.” “They were a tremendous help,” she added.
“Studying medicine can be very triggering for me after what I’ve been through but my diagnosis has really taught me the power of mindset and I got a lot of strength from the support system I had around me. I’ve really enjoyed sharing my journey with others, and assisting others going through similar experiences has given me a lot of meaning.”
Erin Balsa is a highly skilled and knowledgeable health journalist with a passion for educating the public on important health and wellness topics. With extensive experience in both traditional and digital media, Erin has established herself as a trusted voice in the field.