Wantage woman raising awareness of rare cancer a year after having 11 organs removed
Claire Gerring is sharing her story on the anniversary of her operation know as "the mother of all surgeries”
A woman from Wantage is raising awareness of a rare cancer a year after undergoing a 10-hour operation that saw surgeons remove 11 organs.
Claire Gerring, aged 42, was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) after months of investigations into what doctors initially believed were gynaecological problems.
The condition, which starts in the appendix and spreads through the abdomen, affects between one and four people in a million.
"On Thursday the 10th of July I got told via phone call that I actually had some malignant tissue in my appendix," Claire said.
"I didn't think that was too much of a problem because we don't always need our appendix. So at that point I was reasonably relaxed.
"Then I got a phone call about 30 seconds later from my gynae lady and she said, 'Claire, this is serious.'"
Claire underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC at Basingstoke Hospital on 15th July 2025 - a procedure often described by specialists as "the mother of all surgeries".
This included surgeons removed 11 organs and tissue structures before circulating heated chemotherapy around her abdomen.
A year on, she says she still feels the impact of the procedure.
"I can't still say I'm back to normal," she said.
"I may always have problems with me bowel and bladder, but I remind myself its a small price to pay because I'm here."
Claire says having such a rare cancer can be isolating.
"I think when you're faced with it, you feel quite alone and a bit scared because there isn't anyone to talk to," she said.
"It's not like you can find a local person that might have been through the same thing as you."
She says charity Pseudomyxoma Survivor became a "lifeline", helping her connect with other patients, providing financial support and accommodation for her husband while she underwent treatment.
Now, Claire hopes sharing her story will encourage others to look out for symptoms - which include a bloated abdomen - and seek help if they feel something is wrong.
"Raising awareness is crucial because I think it is often blamed for gynae problems. And in men it can look like a beer belly" she said. "I was told to try and lose some weight when I phoned the GP.
"Listen to your body and push."
Since her surgery, Claire has also been fundraising for Pseudomyxoma Survivor, including hosting a masked charity ball at The Beacon in Wantage.
She has so far raised more than £15,800 to support patient grants, accommodation for families and research into earlier detection of the disease.