Marta Wojcik put her symptoms down to stress before she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer

Marta Wojcik was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in June 2016 when conception tests revealed why she was struggling to have a baby.

The 32-year-old finance manager was one of dozens of models to strut their stuff at the Touch of Teal fashion show to help raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

As well as trying for a baby with her partner Bronson for more than a year, Marta was also busy studying for an accountancy qualification and put her pain down to stress.

She said: “I saw my doctor a few times to talk about my symptoms and the fact that I had constant bloating, despite exercising a lot,” says Marta, who moved to Reading from Poland 13 years ago.

“It was so bad that I was not able to wear my normal trousers. I was told to try adapting my diet. When that did not work I wondered if my symptoms were just down to period pains and stress.

“I am quite upset that I might not have kids in the future.”

Marta went on to have surgery to have her two ovaries removed and she also had chemotherapy. Her treatment finished in December 2016 and she has been in remission ever since.

She added: “It was a gamble for me to not have my uterus removed because cancer cells were found there. I took the risk that chemotherapy would kill those cells so that I could try IVF.

”I was fortunate that with the love and support of my partner and sister Kinga - the only family member I have in the UK - I was able to go back to work straightaway after my last chemo. I could not have done that without them.”

“I am still recovering from the effects of chemo."

Mistaking ovarian cancer is a common cause of late diagnosis, with almost 90 per cent of women diagnosed with the disease experiencing bloating.

Marta was well prepared for the catwalk and fulfilled her childhood dream by taking part in the fashion show after putting in hours of practice as a young girl.

Visit: www.ovacome.org.uk for more information.