Emma Durkin was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after having barely any symptoms
Kristy Dawson Multi-Media Journalist
18:00, 16 Mar 2026
Emma Durkin following her diagnosis in 2022 (left) and as she is now (right)(Image: Chronicle Live)
A teacher said she is “facing a death sentence” after battling a form of cancer known as the silent killer. Emma Durkin was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer after initially believing she was suffering from symptoms of the menopause.
Over the last four years, the 51-year-old, from West Denton, Newcastle, has undergone two major operations as well as chemotherapy but the disease has returned three times. She has now been told that it’s terminal and she has a year left to live.
Emma, who has two children and three grandchildren, told Chronicle Live: “Looking back over these four years I just wish I’d known the signs. I wish I’d known smear tests do not detect ovarian cancer! I wish I’d found this sooner and I wasn’t facing a death sentence.
“We have to look after our bodies, we have to listen to our bodies, we know when something is not right. I wish there was a test to detect ovarian cancer but unfortunately there isn’t!”
Emma Durkin lost her hair while going through chemotherapy (Image: Chronicle Live)
Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer” because symptoms are subtle and easily mistaken for other less serious conditions. Emma was first diagnosed in May 2022 after suffering from barely any symptoms.
She said her periods became irregular and she thought she was starting the menopause. Emma started to suffer from pain and was told that she had a abscess on her right ovary which needed to be drained.
Medics at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle also found a cyst on her left ovary and removed them during keyhole surgery. They took a biopsy during the procedure which revealed she had ovarian cancer.
Emma Durkin during her cancer battle(Image: Chronicle Live)
At the time, Emma said: “I had never heard of ovarian cancer. I was always up to date with my smear tests and I thought they would pick up anything down there but they don’t. Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because it’s really hard to find.”
Emma had a major operation to remove the cancer and underwent five sessions of chemotherapy, which caused her to lose her hair. She was relieved when she was told she was in remission in December 2022.
However at the beginning of September 2023, she began suffering from pain in her right kidney. She went to A&E at the RVI where she was told the cancer had returned.
Emma Durkin in hospital (left) and her scar following her second surgery (right)(Image: Chronicle Live)
Emma, who is mam to Laura, 33, and Dan, 31, underwent further surgery to remove the cancer in October 2023. Following the operation, she was able to return to work and was excited to have her life back.
That was until the cancer returned for a third time less than a year later. Emma started getting pain in her right side in September 2024, which then moved to her back.
She said she had an initial scan which suggested everything appeared “normal” but when she went to the walk-in centre with back pain she was told, following a chest X-ray, that she had an infection.
Emma Durkin pictured in February 2024(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Emma said she asked for another scan, which she was given. The results showed that the cancer was in her peritoneum – a jelly like matter which protects the organs – as well as her colon and the surface of her liver.
Emma, who is nannie to Zak, nine, Daisy, six, and Violet, five, said: “I had an appointment with an oncologist who basically told me I had weeks to live if I didn’t have treatment and possibly up to two years if I did! We were all absolutely devastated.
“Chemo and me do not get on! I get every side effect. Surgery wasn’t an option.”
Emma Durkin with her three grandchildren(Image: Chronicle Live)
Emma started chemotherapy in November 2024 and managed four cycles before it became too much. She said: “I was bed ridden the whole time so after a lot of soul searching I decided to stop the torture.
“I knew there was no other option treatment wise but the suffering I’ve had now for nearly four years was just enough. I was put into palliative care…. left to just manage.
“I made memory boxes, got my will sorted and prepared my beautiful granchildren for what was to come. I had great support from Maggies for this. They gave us stories, special jelly cat bunnies and these amazing ‘snuggle with Nannie’ handmade quilts.”
Emma (left) with her daughter Laura (right)(Image: Chronicle Live )
In November last year, Emma was admitted to hospital in a lot of pain. She had a scan which revealed the cancer had “significantly spread” and she was given the option of having 18 weeks of chemotherapy.
She said: “The next day I had my PICC line fitted and started weekly treatment. It’s been extremely difficult managing symptoms and I genuinely do not know how I have made it through.
“As it stands now I have two lots left and then I will be monitored by my new oncologist, who is just amazing. She has indicated that I hopefully have ‘a good year’.
Emma pictured with her son Dan (Image: Chronicle Live)
“It has been very difficult and there are days when I feel like giving up but I look at my grandchildren and realise I have to fight. I am surrounded by some amazing family and friends who really do keep me going.
“Zak shaved his hair off when I lost mine this time. It’s been so tough on them but they just accept it with grace.
“Violet has said she doesn’t want any birthday gifts, she just wants Nannie to get better. Daisy wants to be a doctor to make Nannie better.
“Zak tells me every day ‘It’s going to be ok’. They are just delightful.”
Emma wants to raise awareness of ovarian cancer (Image: Chronicle Live)
Emma said she had to medically retire from her job as a primary school teacher, which “broke her heart” as she loved her job. She said: “I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be well.
“I can’t do simple things most days like sweep the floors and clean the bath. It’s hard watching and allowing others to do things for you.”
Emma has shared her story to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and the symptoms. The disease is most common in women over the age of 50 but can occur at any age.
Emma Durkin urges others to recognise the signs of ovarian cancer (Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
According to the NHS, the main symptoms of ovarian cancer are a swollen tummy or feeling bloated, no appetite or feeling full quickly, pain or tenderness in your tummy and an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often.
Other symptoms can include indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea, back pain, feeling tired all the time, losing weight without trying and bleeding from the vagina after the menopause.
Ovacome is the UK’s ovarian cancer support charity and March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
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