Teenager has surgery after finding out her 'pregnant' belly was actually stage three ovarian cancer

An inspirational teenager has written a tear-jerking fundraising post about her decision to have a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with cancer.

Riley Benado, 18, went to the doctor with a bloated stomach but found out she had extra fluid in her stomach and enlarged lymph nodes – all signs of ovarian cancer.

Cheerleader and student Riley Benado, 18, took the brave step to have a full hysterectomy yesterday after receiving the devastating news.

Riley, who is a former cheerleading captain, said doctors gave her a pregnancy test thinking her bloated belly might have been a baby – even though she is a virgin.

In a GoFundMe campaign, the Californian teen said: "I went to the gynecologist for a check-up because I was experiencing severe bloating and pain in my pelvis.

"It looked like my stomach was five-months pregnant. The doctors gave me a pregnancy test, and of course it was negative - I'm experiencing all of this, yet I'm still a virgin."

The truth was even more life-changing.

Doctors conducted an ultrasound to see if anything was abnormal in Riley's stomach.

Just days later, the teenager received the devastating news that there was a 98% she would be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Riley was told she had a 13cm mass on one ovary so large that it affected both sides.

She also had extra fluid in her stomach and enlarged lymph nodes.

"I couldn't believe what I was hearing," she recalled.

"On September 23, I was officially diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer."

Inspirational teenager Riley Benado sends a message before going into surgery

Just three days after the diagnosis, Riley – who has just graduated from Paso Robles High School – had the mass, any infected organs, her ovaries, her eggs, and her uterus removed.

She said: "At this age, removal of these parts of my body is not only scary, but it's heartbreaking. I have always dreamed of having my own children and raising a family. I love kids so much, so to know I will never have a child with my own genes and my own characteristics breaks me down."

Riley and her pals have now set up the fundraising page in a bid to cover some of her hefty medical costs.

Her dad Brent told a local newspaper: "This community has been amazing."