APEX
A woman is fighting to get her frozen ovary back so she can have a baby after recovering from cancer.
Kate Oliver, 28, from Yelverton, Devon was diagnosed with the rare bone cancer Ewing's sarcoma when she was 16 years old, and was given only a 40 per cent chance of survival.
Even if she pulled through, she was told that aggressive chemotherapy drugs would leave her infertile.
So before she started her treatment, Kate had an ovary removed and frozen - and now, at the age of 28, she wants it back because she wants to start a family.
But now she is fighting a battle with Leeds Teaching Hospital to reclaim her own human tissue because changes to legislation means she is currently unable to have her ovary back.
"I was told at the time I had the procedure if I wanted it back all I had to do was contact them and they would get the ball rolling," Kate told the Daily Mail.
"It's not been that easy because the laws have changed now. They've stopped doing the procedure - nobody in this country at the moment has had it done. In Europe and America it's being done successfully - but not here."
In a statement the Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS trust said: "We are currently unable due to changes in the human tissue authority legislation. We don't have the facilities to meet the requirements set out in the legislation."
Kate said: "It kind of makes me angry because it's my tissue - and I don't see why I should have to fight so hard to have it back."
It's thought that around 12 women outside the UK have given birth through this pioneering method.
Leeds Hospital said as soon as it's in a position to proceed with treatment it will be in touch.
If Kate does get her ovary back she could be the first person in this country to have a baby using the experimental technique.
Kate, a special needs teacher, said: "I just want my tissue back and to be given the chance to have a family.
"If it does happen it will be incredible. It's just the waiting and not knowing.
I feel like I'm in limbo and I don't want to try anything else until I know whether or not I can have my own child.
"I want to try now because if this doesn't work I want to consider other options - an egg donation or adoption."
Kate, who is single, plans to use a sperm donor in order to give birth.
What do you think about Kate's story?