Survivor Story: Kripa Shortt
‘Listen to your body’ GP advises as she recalls her rare cancer journey with a 4kg tumour.
In a startling reminder that cancer can strike anyone, London GP Kripa Shortt found herself on the other side of the stethoscope when a 4kg tumour – equivalent to a small bowling ball – was discovered in her abdomen.
In January 2022, Kripa noticed that her tummy seemed to be getting bigger. At first, she thought this was due to the aftereffects of her pregnancies and that she was getting older. However, over the next few months, her belly continued growing bigger and bigger despite living a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly. However, she noticed that she could see a strange bulge in her belly when doing sit-ups. Towards the end of 2022, she noticed that her belly size was increasing at a much faster rate. Concerned that her body had changed so quickly, she went to get checked out in December 2022. In January last year, about a year after she had first noticed her belly getting bigger, a CT scan revealed that Kripa had retroperitoneal liposarcoma.
Retroperitoneal sarcoma cancers develop deep within the abdomen and pelvis, often with very subtle or ambiguous early symptoms. Kripa said there were no symptoms such as weight loss, change in bowel motions or vomiting. Within less than a week of diagnosis, Kripa underwent surgery. The tumour measured 20 x 16 cm when removed and weighed 4kg. Kripa also had a hemicolectomy, which is the removal of part of her large intestine.
“As a GP, I recognise the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. I have always exercised regularly with running, weight training and yoga and eating a healthy diet,” Kripa recounts. “Yet, I found myself battling sarcoma. Sarcoma can happen to anybody, but regardless of this, we should try our best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’m grateful I sought medical advice when I recognised that something was different in my body. I advise everyone to trust their instincts and seek medical advice when they have concerns about a lump, new symptoms or changes in their body. I am very lucky to have been diagnosed early, and my treatment enabled me to overcome the cancer. I advise everyone to be aware of their own body, and when something seems worrying, please see their GP to get checked.”
Kripa is now cancer-free but must go for six-monthly checks to ensure the cancer hasn’t returned. Inspired by her ordeal and eager to raise awareness of sarcoma, her husband, Ollie Shortt, ran the TCS London Marathon for Sarcoma UK in April this year dressed as a bone. He won an award from the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest person to run a marathon dressed as a human body part.
If you would like to talk to someone, you can contact our Support Line on 0808 801 0401, supportline@sarcoma.org.uk or text 07860 058830
About Sarcoma
To mark this year’s Sarcoma Awareness Month, our ‘Don’t Delay’ campaign emphasises the critical need for early detection and understanding of this rare cancer.
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that can appear anywhere in the body and affects people of all ages.
About Sarcoma
To mark this year’s Sarcoma Awareness Month, our ‘Don’t Delay’ campaign emphasises the critical need for early detection and understanding of this rare cancer.
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that can appear anywhere in the body and affects people of all ages.
