Rugby Club Becomes Lifeline for Mum Facing Ovarian Cancer

Returning to the rugby pitch is the goal for Ruth Wearing, a mother of two who discovered the strength of community after her ovarian cancer diagnosis last year. She found belonging in her women’s touch rugby club, describing them as a vital support group during her toughest days.
“Last July I felt a bit of pain in my lower tummy and felt a lump on the right side,” she recalled. After consulting her doctor, Ruth learned she had cysts on both ovaries, and a hysterectomy followed by a biopsy confirmed ovarian cancer.
Ruth has undergone six chemotherapy sessions, each spaced three weeks apart, and initially tried the cold cap to preserve her hair, but lost it within four weeks of starting treatment. Before her diagnosis, she was a full-time working mum, active and healthy, but now she finds her independence and mobility have been impacted.
She described the cycle of chemotherapy as a constant fluctuation, saying, “Some days are easier than others.” Just as she starts to feel better after one session, another round begins, making recovery a moving target.
Ruth joined Bryncoch RFC’s Bryncoch Broncettes the summer before her diagnosis, encouraged by a friend who started the group. With no prior rugby experience, she embraced the challenge, training weekly and playing matches with other women’s teams in the area.
Initially, she joined for fresh air and regular exercise, but the club quickly became a community, bringing together women of all ages and backgrounds, including mums and daughters. Beyond the pitch, she enjoyed social gatherings, coffees, and charity nights at the club, experiences she hadn’t had before, and said, “I made new friends when I joined and they have been there for me, with cwtshes or dropping off cards.”
“I’m still in the WhatsApp group and they send messages asking if I want to go for a cup of coffee if I’m feeling up for it. It has been a great support to know they are there. I suppose that’s what rugby’s all about.”
Although chemotherapy has limited her ability to attend training, her teammates have continued to visit and support her, and she sometimes drops by when she feels able. “It all depends on how I’m feeling,” she admitted.
Currently, Ruth is waiting to hear about her next steps in treatment and hopes to be fit enough to participate in the Touched by Cancer women’s rugby competition at Aberavon RFC’s Talbot Athletic Ground in August, an event organized by Swansea Bay Health Charity. “I’ve been back to watch them train recently and maybe when it gets a bit warmer I might be able to join in again. The touch rugby tournament is in August; there’s no guarantee I’ll be ready to play with them then, but who knows?”
“I don’t know how I will be feeling then but I will definitely go on the day and whatever help they need I will help with and give them support but I would love to be playing.” Ruth’s story echoes the experiences of many ovarian cancer survivors, who often rely on support networks and community involvement to navigate the physical and emotional challenges of treatment.
She encourages anyone who notices unusual symptoms to seek medical advice promptly, saying, “I would say anything that feels different or feels unusual, or you haven’t observed or felt before, then go straight to the doctors.” Ovarian cancer remains one of the most challenging gynecological cancers to detect early, with research highlighting the importance of awareness and timely intervention, as survival rates improve with earlier diagnosis and access to support systems.
Across the UK, organizations like Ovarian Cancer Action and Cancer Research UK emphasize the significance of community, exercise, and mental health support for those undergoing treatment, and stories like Ruth’s continue to inspire others to seek help, stay connected, and hold onto hope for the future.