Some health battles begin quietly, with small symptoms that don’t seem to match the fear they grow into. That was the case for 21-year-old student Mia Robins, who spent months searching for answers while her pain kept getting worse. She never imagined the real cause was a melon-sized ovarian tumour growing inside her.

Mia first noticed something was wrong when she collapsed in her bathroom with sharp stomach pain. She also struggled with fatigue, rapid weight loss, and sudden hair thinning. But each time she visited her GP or A&E, the symptoms were linked to conditions like anaemia, alopecia, or a simple UTI.

Her turning point came in June 2022 during yet another hospital visit. This time, an ultrasound finally revealed the truth: she had stage one ovarian cancer. Doctors said the tumour was enormous and urgently needed to be removed. It had grown so large—and had such a strong blood supply—that it had even developed hair and teeth.

Emergency surgery removed the tumour, along with her right ovary, fallopian tube, and several lymph nodes. Mia felt relieved it hadn’t spread, but she was also frustrated that her concerns had been dismissed for six months. Later, the cancer returned, and she underwent months of chemotherapy before finally being given the all-clear.

Now 21, Mia shares her story to help others trust their instincts. She says she survived because she refused to give up and kept seeking care. Her journey is a reminder that listening to your body can be life-saving.