'You can see the change - my little girl is back'

Bethany, 14, has returned to school for break times and some lessons

A family has shared their "relief and amazement" after their daughter was given the all clear from a rare form of ovarian cancer.

Bethany, 14, who lives near Peterborough, was diagnosed in July 2023 after experiencing stomach cramps that would not go away.

Tina, Bethany's mother, said the news was "very emotional". She added: "It's amazing, you can see the change in her, my little girl has come back."

The family emphasised that the good news would not stop their fundraising or campaign work. They will continue to advocate for GPs to "keep investigating" when treatment does not work.

'Surreal'

An MRI scan revealed Bethany had a large mass around her ovary, and because the cancer - called small cell carcinoma hypercalcemic cancer - had a genetic link, both of her ovaries had to be removed.

She was treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Tina said it was helpful to meet other parents going through the same experience

With a holiday booked and a staggered return to school, Bethany's all clear has been a "surreal" return to normality for the family.

"She has been having BBQs, going back to school and had friends round," Tina said.

"It's a bit surreal still and I am trying to get into a routine, which I am finding difficult at the moment... but to hear that news was a relief, absolutely amazing, very emotional."

She added how even Bethany's typical teenage "cheek" had been a welcome and appreciated return.

Ovarian Cancer Action said it was unusual for teenagers to develop ovarian cancer

"Talking to parents going through the same thing helped us," Tina said.

"You feel the same confusion and anger, you can vent at each other, and don't have to explain everything.

"We made some good friends on Bethany's journey... you need a person who knows where you're coming from."

Bethany has an appointment to remove her Hickman line, a tube inserted into large blood vessels through a small cut in the upper chest and neck.

After the appointment at the end of May, she plans to ring a ceremonial bell in the hospital to signify she has finished her treatment.

Bethany celebrated her 14th birthday in hospital at the start of April

Tina said: "Our fundraising is still going, and we will continue raising money... and spreading awareness.

"We want GPs to realise some ovarian cancer symptoms are similar to other things like irritable bowel syndrome or diverticulitis.

"When treatment for a diagnosis doesn't work, they need to investigate and find the cause earlier, so we don't lose so many women."