Becki Ward, 33, began taking Mounjaro injections to tackle her long-standing weight struggles but was puzzled when the expected results plateaued. She initially assumed her slow weight loss was due to personal shortcomings, like laziness or overeating. However, persistent abdominal pain and night sweats prompted her to seek medical advice.
After five months of extensive testing, Becki received a shocking diagnosis: pseudomyxoma peritonei—a very rare form of mucinous cancer, often referred to as “jelly belly,” characterized by gelatinous mucin accumulating in the abdominal cavity. This explained the unusual expansion of her abdomen, which had grown so large she appeared to be “having twins.”
In August 2025, Becki underwent an 11-hour surgery to remove a massive 12kg tumour, along with her spleen, appendix, gall bladder, omentum, peritoneum, and a complete hysterectomy, which induced early menopause. The operation was followed by heated chemotherapy administered directly into her abdomen to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
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Prior to this, Becki had been taking 7.5mg Mounjaro injections from October 2024, initially losing some weight. Yet within three months, her weight loss slowed drastically compared to others on the medication. The rare nature of her cancer meant it took time for doctors to diagnose it properly, as she initially showed signs reminiscent of ovarian cancer.
Despite the challenges of premature menopause and ongoing recovery, Becki remains optimistic. She highlighted the limited support available for younger women going through menopause and is now focusing on healing. Becki and her husband Ed, 36, had decided not to have children before her diagnosis, which spared them additional heartache, though she empathizes deeply with those who may face such loss.
Becki is currently cancer free but will require regular check-ups over the next 20 years due to a 30% chance of recurrence. Her story is a powerful reminder to listen to your body and seek medical advice when something doesn’t feel right, even if the symptoms seem unrelated.