Taskmaster star Fatiha El-Ghorri has revealed she has been fighting a secret cancer battle. The 44-year-old comedian underwent surgery last summer after being diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer.
Fatiha first had a transvaginal scan in February last year as part of a health check-up. Weeks later, her GP told her the scan showed something abnormal in her womb and she needed further tests urgently. She was advised to have a precautionary hysterectomy to remove any potential cancer, and also chose to have her ovaries removed at the same time.
In an Instagram update, Fatiha said she knew that if it was cancer and she still had her ovaries, she would need chemotherapy and more possible surgery. Thankfully, the cancer had not spread beyond her womb, so she did not require further treatment.
However, the surgery left her with what she describes as “medical menopause”, which she says has been harder than the operation itself. She listed symptoms including low mood, vaginal dryness, change in appetite, dry skin, hair changes, depression and memory problems. “We have to do more, menopause ain’t a joke. It changes your life forever, physically, mentally and hormonally,” she wrote.
Fatiha also spoke about the shame she felt after her keyhole surgery, which left five cuts along her abdomen. She said basic tasks like sitting upright, coughing, sneezing, laughing and going to the toilet were impossible, and she could not bend at the waist until Christmas. “I felt so helpless and this made me feel ashamed,” she added.
