Woman's Weight Loss Struggle Reveals Shocking Cancer Diagnosis
A woman who believed her inability to lose weight on Mounjaro injections was due to personal laziness has discovered the shocking truth: a 12kg cancerous tumour was growing inside her abdomen.
From Weight Loss Frustration to Medical Emergency
Becki Ward, a 33-year-old trainee education mental health practitioner from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, began taking Mounjaro weight loss injections in October 2024 after struggling with her weight for years. Initially, the medication seemed effective in suppressing her appetite, but she soon noticed she wasn't losing weight at the same rate as others using the treatment.
"I assumed it wasn't working because I'm in my 30s, I was lazy, or I was overeating," Becki explained. "I've always struggled, so I thought it must just be me."
Her perspective changed dramatically when she began experiencing night sweats and abdominal pain. Concerned about potential Mounjaro side effects she'd read about, Becki visited her GP for testing.
The Rare Cancer Discovery
After five months of medical examinations, Becki received a diagnosis that shocked her: pseudomyxoma peritonei, an exceptionally rare form of mucinous cancer that only two hospitals in the UK are equipped to manage.
Commonly known as "jelly belly" cancer, this condition causes abdominal distension through the accumulation of a gelatinous substance called mucin in the abdominal cavity. Medical professionals suspect Becki may have unknowingly harboured the disease for up to five years before symptoms became noticeable.
"I was so shocked when I got the diagnosis," Becki said. "The thing I've always been most terrified of is getting cancer. I just wasn't expecting it, and I immediately thought the worst."
Major Surgery and Life-Altering Consequences
By August 2025, Becki's abdomen had expanded to such an extent that she appeared to be "having twins." She underwent an extensive 11-hour surgical procedure that was originally scheduled for eight hours but took longer due to the cancer's unexpected spread.
During the operation, surgeons:
- Removed the 12kg tumour
- Performed a complete hysterectomy
- Extracted her spleen, appendix, gall bladder, omentum, and peritoneum
Following the surgery, doctors administered heated chemotherapy throughout her abdominal cavity to destroy microscopic cancer cells not visible during the procedure.
Premature Menopause and Recovery Journey
The hysterectomy thrust Becki into premature menopause at just 33 years old, meaning she will never be able to bear children. Fortunately, she and her husband Ed, 36, had already decided against having children before the diagnosis.
"I can imagine it would be devastating for a lot of people as 33 is the age when so many people want to have a baby," she acknowledged.
After five days in intensive care and a total of two weeks in hospital, Becki was discharged and prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage menopausal symptoms including hot flushes.
Looking Forward with Caution
While Becki is now considered cancer-free by her medical team, she faces a long road of recovery and monitoring. She experiences fatigue and difficulty lifting heavy items but is generally coping well with her new reality.
Medical professionals have informed her that she'll need routine check-ups for the next two decades, as there's a 30% chance the cancer could return. Becki's story serves as a powerful reminder that unexplained symptoms during weight loss treatments warrant thorough medical investigation rather than self-blame.
