Karin’s Story

“The way Aviva supported me during my diagnosis and ongoing treatment is worth an awful lot. Every person I spoke to was just so nice. They were like friends that you hadn’t spoken to in a long time, and that was something I found so incredible. They wished me well and they meant it.”

Karin, now 79, had enjoyed a lifetime of good health before her ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2023. As an Aviva customer, she welcomed us into her lovely home, where she shared her story with openness and courage. She talked us through the moment everything changed, the treatment journey that followed, and how life feels for her now.

When Karin first started to experience symptoms, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I started to wake up every morning feeling sick, and I thought, well… I couldn’t be pregnant. My daughter-in-law convinced me to go and see my GP. When I got there, she pressed down on my tummy and that nearly made me yell out loud.”

Karin’s GP suggested further testing, where they unfortunately found blood in her stools. 

“I saw two consultants. The first wanted to be sure, so referred me to a specialist surgeon at a private oncology hospital. That’s when they told me I had cancer.”

Hearing the official diagnosis was a life-changing moment for Karin, who spoke to us about how surreal the moment felt. 

“I was at the appointment with my son, and I’m glad he was there because when the consultant said the word ‘cancer’, a wall came down. Everything else he said just bounced off of me. I had to ask my son to repeat everything he had said afterwards, in a pub nearby. Once I’d heard it again, I still didn’t take it in. I just thought ‘it’s okay, they’ll know how to deal with it’, and I’ve felt that way ever since.”

After receiving her diagnosis, Karin struggled to come to terms with what she had been told, and how life was about to change for her.

“You are suddenly not the person you normally are, full of confidence, because something has knocked the stuffing out of you. And then to have to speak to somebody else that you’ve never spoken to before, to tell them: I have been diagnosed with cancer, it gives you very odd feeling.”

Karin rang Aviva to talk about her diagnosis and her treatment options going forward.

“When I rang Aviva, I tried not to say the word ‘Cancer’. I thought, maybe if I don’t say it, it’s not happening. I couldn’t have spoken to anybody nicer. She wasn’t just going through the motions; she was kind and interested.”

After her diagnosis, Karin had her first operation for what they had learned was Ovarian cancer.  

“Aviva have an oncology department, who are incredibly well trained so that made a big difference. But mostly, they’re just nice people. I was worried because the operation must have cost an arm and a leg, but my treatment was paid for, in full.”

We asked Karin about how she got through her diagnosis, and what life looked like now for her. 

“My optimism got me through my diagnosis, and my belief in my oncologist. I go once a month for a blood test and consultation. She’s like a friend now, we always have a cuddle at the end after we’ve spoken about my results. I quite look forward to it.”

Karin also told us about her stoma bag, that she fondly (or, as we later learned, not so fondly) refers to as Gladys.

“I have been left with a stoma, which I call Gladys. We are not friends. We tolerate each other. She doesn’t like certain types of food, so I can’t always eat what I want and then go out with Gladys to the cinema or opera, because she might start talking. She’s very unpredictable like that. But, If I’m by myself, I’ll eat whatever I like.”

Spending time outdoors and with the people she cares for are still all things Karin loves to do and can do.

“I love meeting my friends and going for coffee, and I like to sit next to the window and people watch. I do really feel that I am one of the lucky ones. I almost didn’t get health insurance, because I was all-round quite healthy but you just don’t know what’s around the corner. So thank you, Aviva, and thank you for your staff.”

Stories like Karin’s— shaped by resilience, hope, and the support she’s received along the way— are why we work so closely with our claims teams to make sure we always do our best to support our customers when they need it most, and why we’re always striving to improve what we can offer.

Facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment is overwhelming, not just for the person receiving the diagnosis, but also for their loved ones. If you need help on how to support someone with a cancer diagnosis, we’ve put together some guidance here.

Or, sift through our resources on ovarian cancer.