Ellie Waters-Barnes, 25, who was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma at age 14 and experienced early menopause at 15 due to treatment, has graduated with her MBChB degree with distinction from Keele University on Monday, July 13, 2026. She will begin her first job as a doctor at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent on August 5, 2026.
Cancer Diagnosis at 14
In January 2015, Ellie discovered a small, kidney bean-sized lump on her left buttock. Embarrassed, she waited six to seven months before telling her parents. By then, the lump had grown to take up her entire buttock. She also had lumps in her groin lymph nodes, constipation from the tumour pressing on her rectum, trouble urinating, and sharp pain in her left leg when running. After finally seeing a doctor in August 2015, she was diagnosed with stage four Rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2015.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma that develops in voluntary muscles, according to Macmillan. Ellie's treatment lasted 18 months, including nine months of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy focused on her pelvis. She entered remission in March 2017.
Early Menopause and Infertility
The pelvic radiotherapy caused damage to her reproductive organs, halting puberty. When her periods did not return after treatment, it was confirmed that Ellie was experiencing early menopause, was infertile, and that her pubertal development would not continue. She began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate symptoms. Ellie said, “I’d not really properly gone through puberty before the treatment. With the treatment, it completely went, and then I went through menopause. There was no time to catch up.”
Inspired to Become a Doctor
Ellie decided to use her experience to help others, starting her Medicine degree at Keele University in September 2021. She graduated with distinction on July 13, 2026. “It’s a very good achievement,” she said. “All this hard work has now come to this point, so I’m excited for that, albeit a little bit nervous.”
She initially wanted to specialise in oncology but realised it might be “too close to home.” Instead, she is considering endocrinology due to her own hormone problems. “I’m really fascinated by hormones, and how they can really impact someone’s life,” she said.
Future at Royal Stoke University Hospital
Ellie will start her first job on August 5, 2026, at the Royal Stoke University Hospital. She has spent the summer backpacking around Europe. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “It’s definitely a privilege to take care of people’s health when they’re in their most vulnerable state.” She acknowledges ongoing health problems from her cancer treatment and is prepared to manage stress and potential flare-ups.
