article: A mother who spent months feeling unwell was horrified to discover she probably had cancer - after spotting all her symptoms on a Facebook post. Laura Everley, 36, had experienced bloating, lower back pain and constipation over a three-month period. She also frequently needed to urinate. But having previously suffered irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis, she put the symptoms down to those conditions. It was only when she stumbled across a post on her Facebook timeline, which detailed all the same symptoms, that she realised it could be cancer. Tests later revealed she had an aggressive ovarian tumour - and the disease had begun to spread. Scroll down for video . Laura Everley, 36, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after seeing a post on Facebook describing all her symptoms. She had been suffering from bloating, back pain, constipation and frequently needing the loo . In October 2014, Mrs Everley underwent a hysterectomy to remove her womb and her ovaries. She is pictured with husband Mark, and her five-year-old son, Harry, before being diagnosed with cancer . After performing a hysterectomy to remove her womb as well as her ovaries, surgeons revealed the cancer had already begun to spread. Mrs Everley is now undergoing chemotherapy and doctors are confident she can beat the disease. She hopes her story will raise awareness to the symptoms of ovarian cancer, prompting other women to see their doctor if they are worried. Warning signs of the disease can be difficult to recognise, particularly in the early stages. This is because they are often the same as symptoms of other less serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Mrs Everley said: 'The symptoms are the same, so I thought it could have been irritable bowel syndrome . 'I went down the gluten free route but that didn't make any difference. 'The idea of cancer hadn't even entered my head. You just never dream this going to happen to you.' By early 2014, she had been suffering with her symptoms for three months. The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognise, particularly in its early stages. This is because they are often the same as symptoms of other less serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). However, three main symptoms are more frequent in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They are: . Other symptoms, such as back pain, needing to pass urine more frequently than usual, and pain during sex may be the result of other conditions in the pelvic area. However, they may be present in some women with ovarian cancer. Source: NHS Choices . Idly scrolling Facebook one evening, she noticed a post raising awareness of ovarian cancer. 'A friend had shared a post from a friend of theirs about her experiences of cancer and what she'd been through,' said Mrs Everley. 'There was a list of symptoms and I realised I had them all. 'I called my doctor straight away and told her that I thought I might have cancer.' Medics confirmed Mrs Everley had a cyst, which was removed and sent away for a biopsy. She was also referred for an internal examination, which revealed abnormalities. In October 2014, she was called into East Surrey hospital. 'I thought I was just going in for check-up so I didn't think to take anyone with me,' she said. 'I was told I had clear cell carcinoma. 'It all sounded very medical and I had no idea what that meant. Finally, it dawned on me that it was a type of ovarian cancer. 'I was on my own finding this out. It was awful. I spent ages with the Macmillan nurse afterwards, sobbing in shock. 'I phoned my husband Mark as soon as I came out of hospital and told him over the phone. I couldn't keep it to myself, I had to tell somebody. 'Having to tell my son Harry was horrible. He knows I have ovarian cancer, but he's only five so he doesn't quite understand what cancer means.' Two weeks later, Mrs Everley met with surgeons, who gave her a heartbreaking choice – whether to have one ovary removed, or a complete hysterectomy, which would leave her unable to have more children. 'I already had Harry, but I would have liked to have had more children,' she said. 'It was difficult but I decided on the full hysterectomy – I didn't want my cancer coming back. 'Afterwards doctors told me I'd made the right choice. I had stage 1c cancer, meaning the cancer cells weren't contained in my ovary. After the hysterectomy, Mrs Everley underwent a course of chemotherapy, with each round leaving her sick for a week afterwards. She also lost her hair - which she says was an emotional experience . 'I'd have needed the hysterectomy eventually anyway.' Now, Mrs Everley is nearing the end of her course of chemotherapy and doctors are confident she can be cured. Her treatment has been gruelling, however, with each round leaving her feeling constantly sick for a week afterwards. She has also lost her hair. 'My hair started coming out in clumps, so I decided to just get a friend to shave it,' she said. 'I didn't want to just watch it fall out. It was nice to regain a little control. 'It was a really emotional experience. My mum and dad came round and everybody cried – even my friend that was shaving my head. Mrs Everley has been promoting Target Ovarian Cancer charity, hosting a coffee morning to raise money . 'My mum held my hand throughout. It was tough but I felt better afterwards.' Mrs Everley has also been busy promoting Target Ovarian Cancer, hosting a coffee morning to raise money for the charity. She is also keen for women to be more aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. 'I don't think people are sure of symptoms. There's not a definite list, they're all a bit vague and lots of them could mean other things,' she said. 'I think that uncertainty puts people off going to the doctors. 'There's no screening for ovarian cancer like there is with the smear test for cervical. 'Women need to know the signs because early diagnosis is the best chance of survival. 'It's easy to dismiss and ignore symptoms, but it's not worth the risk.' Clear cell carcinoma is normally treated with a hysterectomy operation . Clear cell cancer of the ovary is an uncommon type of ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer means the cancer started in the surface layer covering the ovary. It accounts for 3 to 5 per cent of patients with ovarian cancer in the western world and 20 per cent in the Far East. It is likely that the cause of clear cell cancer is different from the common variety. The prognosis for women with clear cell cancer is greatly influenced by the stage of the disease. Clear cell cancer may also arise more commonly in women with a history of endometriosis. The first treatment is the same as for the common form of epithelial ovarian cancer – a hysterectomy. In some circumstances removal of the lymph glands in the pelvis and back of the abdomen may also be included. As well as removing the pelvic organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and omentum – the fatty tissue that covers the abdominal organs), fluid will be collected from the abdominal cavity for testing for any cancer cells. A pathologist will examine the tissue and fluid removed to try and decide how advanced the cancer is. Some tumours are just in the ovary and so will have a better prognosis, about 20 per cent are stage 1. However, in some cases, tumours will have spread through the outer lining (capsule) of the ovary and to other organs including the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, the lymph glands and the omentum. Usually post-operative treatment involves chemotherapy. Source: Ovacome .
highlights: Laura Everley had bloating, back pain, constipation and bladder problems .
  Thought she was suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis .
  Saw a Facebook post on ovarian cancer symptoms and realised she had it .
  Test confirmed she did have cancer and she underwent a hysterectomy .
  Then had chemotherapy - and lost her hair - but doctors are now confident she can beat the disease .
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