A veterinary nurse told to lose weight by doctors discovered she actually had ovarian cancer when a melon-sized tumour growing inside her ruptured.

Hannah Catton, whose concerns about bloating to her stomach were initially dismissed, was given the devastating diagnosis after being rushed into hospital for emergency surgery.

WARNING: Article contains graphic image

Now, the 24-year-old is undergoing life-saving chemotherapy in Australia where she fell ill while working.

But her distraught family back in Faversham have been unable to fly the 10,000 miles to comfort her because of the country’s Covid travel restrictions.

The forced separation is a hugely distressing time for them and Hannah, who is a former pupil of Archbishop’s School in Canterbury and the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham.

She went on to study veterinary science at Canterbury College and travelled to Melbourne in 2019 to work at a veterinary practice.

“The last time I saw my parents and brother was when I said goodbye to them at the airport to travel to Australia almost three years ago so it’s been incredibly hard for all of us,” she said.

Hannah had planned a new life in Australia but also to come home every year to see her family, who live in Cremer Place, and friends.

“Unfortunately, Covid threw a spanner in the works and then I got this horrific diagnosis in October last year,” she said.

“I was so angry, because for well over two years, I had been suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections and having so many antibiotics thrown at me to fix it.

“For more than a year I’d been going to different doctors trying to find a GP who would listen when I was telling them my periods are irregular and something is wrong.

“The response from them all was ‘you’re stressed, you’re fine, give it time, lose weight’.

“I was living with period pain, chronic fatigue, UTI-like symptoms and being bloated. I knew something was wrong but no doctors seemed concerned.”

A gynaecologist initially diagnosed the problem as a benign fibroid on her uterus with a 90-day wait for surgery.

But events took a dramatic turn in October 2021 when she collapsed in acute pain while out horse-riding.

She was later taken to Melbourne’s Mercy Hospital for Women where surgeons removed a 20cm ovarian tumour and investigated any further evidence of cancer.

“Due to the size of the tumour and the fact that it had ruptured I am now having chemotherapy,” Hannah said. “But I’m lucky that my prognosis is good because many in my situation are not.”

Hannah is now urging young women not to be fobbed of by their GPs if, like her, they feel something is not right.

“They need to know this is not just a cancer which affects older women,” she said.

Hannah has had six eggs removed and frozen so she might be able to have children in the future.

As she continues with her treatment, her mum and and dad, Lisa and Mark Catton, are in daily contact, offering the best support they can.

“It’s incredibly tough for them because all they want to do is jump on a plane to be with me but they’re not allowed,” Hannah explained.

“I have had fantastic support from my friends here in Australia, including my boyfriend Kyall, as well as my many friends back home who have all been incredible.”

Her friends in east Kent have been rallying to support her and raise funds, because although her healthcare is covered by medical insurance, her day-to-day living expenses are not while she cannot work.

An online quiz night is being organised by one of her best friends, Hazel Frost, on Wednesday, January 26 which can be joined by clicking here.

And in Australia, friends have set up a Gofundme page - For Hannah: Supporting Her Through Ovarian Cancer - which has already raised more than $3,000 from supporters.

“Hannah is a brilliant veterinary nurse but is unable to work at this time,” they say. “She’s incredible and is fighting and will win.”

“Everyone has been amazing in their support for me for which I am so grateful,” said Hannah.

“And as soon as I am well enough, I’ll be flying home for what will no doubt be a very emotional reunion.”