Ovarian cancer survivor speaks out: grieving the family they could have had

10th September 2024

“We are still grieving the family we should have had 30 years later”.

Sixty year old Heather* was diagnosed with ovarian cancer aged 29 after experiencing stabbing pains in her stomach in the middle of the night. An initial operation took place to remove the affected ovary however, doctors soon discovered that the cancer had spread to Heather’s womb and a second operation followed involving a full hysterectomy just four weeks from being diagnosed. Having been together as a couple for 8 years and decided with her husband just two weeks before the devastating diagnosis that they were ready to start a family, the couple suddenly had this option taken away from them. A professional in the education sector, Heather said: “We were lucky that a visit to my GP resulted in a quick referral and my cancer was diagnosed and treated quickly. I went through six months of chemotherapy treatment which left me physically exhausted for a week after each appointment. At the time, the chance of surviving ovarian cancer was as low as 15% so I am lucky to still be alive.

“We dealt with the situation pragmatically and decided to start a family through adoption in the same year. I always dreamed of and planned to have a large family. It never crossed our minds that this option would be taken away from us simply from using talc, and that the cause would be entirely avoidable.

“The long and complicated adoption process meant that we couldn’t have the big family we always wanted. We love the children that we did have, but even three decades since my cancer diagnoses, it is still acutely painful when we hear a friend or colleague announce their pregnancy. We are still grieving for the loss of the family we should have had, even after all these decades.

“I don’t have cancer in my family and always wondered what caused mine. It changed the entire course of our lives and despite having a supportive family and community around us, we still have the psychological scars of not being able to have a large biological family which was our intention.

“I kept searching online for answers over the years. I came across information on Facebook about the link between talc use and some cancers just a few months ago. Although it was shocking to learn the truth, it was also a relief to have an answer.

“We are incredibly angry to learn that my cancer, and subsequent inability to carry children, was taken away from us and that this was entirely preventable. We want those who knew the risks, but continued to sell the product, held to account.”

The team at KP Law are taking action against talc manufacturer Johnson & Johnson who we believe knew about the risks of cancer-causing asbestos as early as the 1960s. It failed to stop selling the product until 2023, knowing it contained asbestos, and failed to warn consumers of the serious health risks.

Join our action today to hold Johnson & Johnson accountable.

*Names changed to protect privacy