'The whole room froze': IVF scan leads to shock cancer diagnosis

Jess Payne had been going through in vitro fertilisation for almost two years when she found out she had cancer in her uterus. 

The 30-year-old support worker was left “numb” and “shaking” after being diagnosed with endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma grade 1 stage 1A shortly before Christmas last year. 

“I just didn’t expect it to be that bad … the whole room froze. I remember my partner, he had his hand on my shoulder, and I was just like, this can’t be right,” the Tauranga woman told the Bay of Plenty Times. 

Payne and Max began their IVF journey when she was 28. 

After miscarrying their first embryo, Payne said she was about to have another embryo transfer when the fertility doctor doing her scan noticed her uterus lining was “really thick”. 

The doctor referred Payne for further testing. 

Payne said a biopsy found she had pre-cancerous cells. She had a Mirena inserted (a hormonal intrauterine device), in the hope it would treat the condition. 

However, a second biopsy six months later revealed it had progressed to stage 1 cancer. 

She had no other symptoms. 

“I actually owe my life to her because if she had not found that, then it could have been much, much worse and could have spread or been a higher stage.” 

Payne had another round of egg retrievals before starting treatment. 

In January, she began taking a progestogen medication called Provera, which “initially kills the cancer cells off”. 

Her side effects included hair loss, headaches, body pain, irregular bleeding, restless legs and mood swings. 

Payne said some side effects made working full time a struggle, but she had a supportive employer. 

Payne said since January she had been constantly wondering if the treatment was working. 

“I found out a couple of weeks ago that it’s working so I’m really, really stoked.” 

Tauranga woman Jess Payne was diagnosed with endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma grade 1 stage 1A last year. 

The news gave her a sense of being able to “breathe”. 

“My chest didn’t feel heavy anymore.” 

Her other treatment option had been a hysterectomy, so she was really grateful the medication was working. 

Payne said she would take Provera for another six months before having another check-up. 

“If it’s all looking good, then hopefully be able to reduce some of that medication and maybe look at the fertility journey again.” 

Raising money for Dry July 

Payne has just done Dry July - an annual challenge where participants give up alcohol for a month and raise funds for non-medical cancer services, including the Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation, Pinc and Steel. 

The charities delivered programmes and services nationally for people affected by cancer. This included rehabilitation to rebuild strength after treatment, exercise and recovery classes, counselling and support to help people regain confidence and independence. 

While Payne was not a big drinker, she hoped to raise money for the services. 

Tauranga woman Jess Payne hopes to revisit her fertility journey again following treatment. 

Payne said she approached the Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation but found out she had to self-fund her first few initial appointments because she had not had major surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. 

She initially was not in the financial position to fund it, but later booked her first appointment. 

After receiving her medication results, she decided to put it on hold. 

“Obviously someone more important can use that funding for now and then if I need to, I can come back. 

“Hopefully one day maybe if there’s enough funding, those initial costs could be wiped and maybe everybody could access it no matter their stage or treatment plan.” 

Demand outstrips funding 

Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation founder and chief executive Lou James, MNZM, said she recognised how difficult and frustrating it could be when someone needed rehabilitation support and could not afford it. 

“We strongly believe cancer rehabilitation should be a standard part of cancer care and funded accordingly. 

“We have been working hard to secure greater government and charitable investment, but demand continues to grow faster than the funding available.” 

Medical referrals to its service had increased 58% in the past 12 months. 

“Unfortunately, we are not currently able to fund every person referred.” 

James said the charity had to prioritise its funding using clinical eligibility criteria. This meant some people may need to self-fund an initial individual appointment. 

“Once assessed, they are able to access our fully funded group programmes, which are available both in person and online throughout New Zealand.” 

James said its goal was “for rehabilitation to be available to everyone” and the charity would continue advocating for funding. 

Dry July Foundation chief executive Gillian Odbert. 

Dry July New Zealand Trust chief executive Gillian Odbert said donations remained open throughout August. 

“We know it’s been a challenging year for many households, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part in Dry July or supported someone who has.” 

More than $500,000 had been raised so far, with almost 5000 people taking up the challenge. 

Odbert said the services funded by Dry July provided practical support “beyond medical treatment” and helped people navigate one of the most difficult times in their lives. 

She said Dry July funding helped ensure the programmes remained free for the people who needed them. 

“If you’re in a position to donate, we’d encourage you to do so.” 

People can donate on the Dry July website. 

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.