26y/o HK YouTuber Hiu Yan diagnosed with ovarian cancer - 8 symptoms to beware of

Cancer has been increasingly affecting younger adults. A 26-year-old Hong Kong YouTuber recently revealed she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with a tumour as large as 14cm, requiring her to temporarily step away from the spotlight. 

In fact, the early symptoms of ovarian cancer are not obvious. If you notice eight major symptoms in your body, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, as they could be signs of ovarian cancer.

The YouTuber, Hiu Yan, released a new video on the YouTube channel "入實驗室撳PLAY掣" on October 28. In the video, she mentioned feeling unwell and needing to rest for a while but did not specify the reason. Subsequently, on October 31, Hiu Yan announced via Instagram that she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

She recalled that when she first experienced persistent abdominal pain, her general practitioner initially diagnosed it as a common gastrointestinal issue. However, the pain did not improve. It wasn't until she consulted other doctors that her condition was deemed serious, leading to emergency tests which ultimately revealed a 14cm tumour on her ovary. 

She admitted her mind was flooded with questions: "What does a 14cm ovarian tumour mean? Will it be okay after removal? Cancer? Me?"

Having to Re-learn Walking and Eating Due to Surgical Wounds

Upon receiving the diagnosis, she admitted it was extremely difficult to accept at first. Her doctor explained that it was a highly rare malignant tumour. She underwent surgery in mid-October. Post-surgery, she described the incision as extending from her stomach to her uterus, similar to "the experience of a C-section."

She stated that the first few days after the operation were the most challenging, requiring her to re-learn how to walk, sleep, and eat each day. By the 16th day post-surgery, her mental state and appetite had significantly improved, and her mindset remained stable. However, she still needed to avoid laughing and sneezing to prevent affecting the wound. She also revealed she might require another surgery and other adjuvant therapies later on.

Hiu Yan also wrote that after experiencing her grandmother's passing in August, she felt life was getting back on track in September, only to be hit with the cancer diagnosis in October. She mentioned her YouTube channel was supposed to undergo a significant change in November, but this sudden situation disrupted all plans. She expressed deep gratitude for the unconditional understanding and support from her channel partner, Wing, and her manager. 

She concluded, "During this time, I'm so fortunate to have met a good doctor, and to have loving family and friends accompanying me through this difficult hurdle. I especially want to credit my girlfriend for handling everything for me after I got sick, being even more anxious and worried than I was. I know I am loved and not alone," adding, "Although the road to recovery is a bit more challenging than I imagined, I'm also a little bit excited."

One Sign Might Indicate Late Stage, 80pc of Patients Diagnosed Late

According to Hong Kong Hospital Authority data, ovarian and peritoneal cancer is the sixth most common cancer among women in Hong Kong, with 623 new cases in 2023. Most patients are over 50 years old. Hong Kong statistics show that about 80 percent of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage, and up to 85 percent experience recurrence.

The Hospital Authority points out that because the ovaries are located deep within the pelvic cavity, early symptoms are often not obvious. Many patients initially only experience abdominal discomfort or mistake it for stomach pain or indigestion, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Often, by the time a distinct abdominal mass can be felt, the cancer is already in a late stage, leading to a relatively high mortality rate. Ovarian and peritoneal cancer is also the 6th leading cause of female cancer deaths in Hong Kong.

8 Common Symptoms – Is Frequent Bloating a Warning Sign?

According to the Hospital Authority, as the ovaries are deep within the pelvic cavity, early-stage ovarian cancer symptoms are not obvious. Be particularly alert to the following symptoms of ovarian cancer:

1. Persistent and worsening stomach pain
2. Indigestion
3. Abdominal discomfort
4. Abdominal bloating
5. Frequent urination
6. Difficulty with bowel movements
7. Pain during intercourse
8. Lower back pain

7 High-Risk Groups

According to the Hospital Authority, the following seven types of people are at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer:

• Later-than-average menopause
• Never having given birth
• Family history of ovarian cancer (especially mother, sisters, aunts)
• Being overweight, excessive fat intake
• History of spontaneous miscarriage or infertility
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Using menopausal hormone therapy for more than 5 years

Preventative Measures 

How can one prevent ovarian cancer in daily life? The Hospital Authority lists four major methods to help reduce risk and also points out five types of people who have a lower probability of developing this cancer.

• Maintain a balanced diet, avoid excessive daily fat intake.
• Engage in moderate exercise.
• Maintain emotional stability, pay attention to relieving mental stress.
• Women with long-term ovarian dysfunction should actively receive treatment.

5 Groups with Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk:

• Used oral contraceptives for over 5 years.
• Have been pregnant at least once.
• Have breastfed an infant.
• Have undergone tubal ligation.
• Have undergone a hysterectomy.