Initial Bloating Mistaken for Stress Led to Late-Stage Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

Kate Ping, a 69-year-old business owner, initially dismissed the abdominal bloating she was experiencing as a stress-induced digestive issue. With two family restaurants to manage and her son preparing for open-heart surgery, she attributed her discomfort to anxiety. However, after symptoms persisted for two months following her son’s successful operation, she visited her doctor. Her abdomen was tender around her navel, prompting an unexpected medical decision.

Instead of scheduling the colonoscopy Ping anticipated, the nurse practitioner ordered a CT scan. “In my head, I’m thinking, ‘That’s weird. Why did she do that?'” Ping recalled. The scan revealed a devastating Stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis, with the disease having spread throughout her body. According to the American Cancer Society, patients with this stage of ovarian cancer have approximately a 30% five-year survival rate.

Ping described the immediate aftermath as terrifying. “I was completely shocked… My husband and I were like deer in headlights,” she said. She was then referred to Dr. Premal Thaker, an oncologist at Washington University School of Medicine. Thaker described ovarian cancer as “very insidious” because it lacks a specific screening test and presents with subtle symptoms often confused with menopause or other minor conditions. Common signs include abdominal bloating, rapid satiety during meals, and changes in bowel or urinary habits.

Because the cancer was advanced, Thaker determined that chemotherapy was necessary to shrink tumors before surgery. Ping endured significant side effects, including hair loss, nausea, and fatigue, with each cycle lasting about a week. Nevertheless, her condition improved consistently. “I truly think you saved my life,” Ping told her primary care nurse practitioner upon reconnecting during her treatment. The nurse practitioner revealed she had ordered the scan because a close friend had died from undetected ovarian cancer, leading her to suspect the diagnosis.

In February 2025, Ping underwent surgery, which included a hysterectomy and a thorough examination of her internal organs to ensure no cancer remained. After a six-week recovery, she resumed chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cells, followed by immunotherapy infusions to reduce recurrence risk. She received her final infusion recently and continues taking a daily chemotherapy pill.

While approximately 70% of ovarian cancer patients experience a recurrence according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, Ping chooses not to dwell on the statistics. She now focuses on raising awareness about the disease’s subtle symptoms. Back at work with her son, Ping says she encourages patrons who share their own cancer stories, emphasizing that “there really is hope.”