LOS ANGELES, Nov 28, (Agencies): A California woman, Emma Schlamm, is sharing the challenging journey she faced in uncovering her ovarian cancer diagnosis. Schlamm noticed unusual pain in her left side at the age of 25, prompting a scan that identified a "borderline tumor." At 29, doctors removed the tumor along with one of her ovaries.

Feeling uneasy about anything abnormal growing inside her, Schlamm persistently sought medical attention. Before the scan, she visited multiple doctors, expressing concerns about potential fertility loss but felt consistently dismissed.

A year later, a routine scan revealed another tumor, this time identified as a "full-fledged low-grade serous ovarian cancer." The diagnosis was overwhelming, and Schlamm recalled blacking out during the conversation, with her mother's distressing cry etched in her memory.

The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer notes that low-grade serous carcinoma is a less common and poorly chemotherapy-sensitive ovarian cancer type affecting younger women, often subjecting them to ineffective treatments and diminished quality of life.

Ovarian cancer symptoms, including bloating, pelvic and abdominal pain, and urinary urgency, were reported by Schlamm. To preserve fertility, she underwent egg freezing and endured 18 rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, resulting in the removal of her remaining ovary. Currently, on an aromatase inhibitor, she faces the emotional toll of losing her "youth and vibrance."

While there's no evidence of the disease in her body, Schlamm, a board member of the STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation, grapples with the fear of recurrence during scans. Despite the daunting statistics, she strives to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, seeking a sense of control over her body.