CULTURE EDITION
5 minutes with
Local author Jen Moore tells us the story behind her first published book, inspired by personal experiences as an endometriosis sufferer
CE: I believe you’re also spearheading other projects to raise awareness? JM: I’m deeply passionate about improving clinical education. Currently, there is no formalised endometriosis training for medical students. I’m working with the University of Cambridge Clinical School to change this. We’re addressing the curriculum here first, ensuring that students across specialisms know what endometriosis is and what to do next, and making sure that patient voices and experiences are highlighted. Once we’ve nailed it here, we can encourage other clinical schools to follow suit. CE: How does it feel to not only see your first book on the shelves, but for it to be on a topic so personal to you? JM: It’s surreal! I always say that, if I can help just one person avoid the decades of pain I’ve been through then I’ll have done a good job, so to know that it sold out on Amazon in less than ten days and has been read around the world blows my mind. I get messages daily telling me how the book has impacted readers, that they’ve finally got a diagnosis, their family now understands their pain or their doctors are at last listening to them – it makes me feel incredibly emotional. But the ones that are the cherry on the cake are from medical professionals. Countless doctors have messaged telling me they have bought the book to educate themselves so they can better support their patients. Some have even bought multiple copies for patients to borrow. When I’m reminded of these real people, and that this book has had a tiny part to play in helping them… that feels pretty good.
Cambridge Edition: Did you see ‘published author’ in your future? Jen Moore: Honestly, yes! It’s something I’ve wanted to accomplish ever since I was a book-obsessed child. But never in my wildest imagination did I see it being about endometriosis, or the pain that would bring me to this point. CE: Where did your journey with the condition begin? JM: My first symptoms came when I was 11 and I had my first period. That kickstarted two decades of being told that the excruciating pain consuming my life was ‘normal’, ‘part of being a woman’ and something that I would ‘just have to make my peace with’. It wasn’t until my early 30s that a GP finally agreed something wasn’t ‘normal’ at all, and I was ultimately diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids. CE: What was it about your experience that inspired you to write the book? JM: I spent 20 years being dismissed by the medical profession and, sadly, that’s not an unusual experience. It takes on average nine to ten years to be diagnosed – a figure that, honestly, I think is extremely conservative. There isn’t enough accurate information out there, for patients or doctors, about endometriosis and related conditions. I wanted to create a resource that was up to date, comprehensive and inclusive for all sufferers of this disease.
HELP ON HAND Some doctors have bought more than one copy to pass on to their patients
CE: Did you see the written word as being the most effective method of disrupting the system? JM: My work in this space started on Instagram @jen.dometriosis . I was very quickly flooded with messages from people telling me how much my page was helping them learn more about endometriosis and feel validated and related to. Words can have such a deep impact, not just as a way to share knowledge, but on an emotional level too. We also need more than words. I hope the book educates and supports people, but also empowers them to take action, whether that’s for themselves, their patients, their loved ones or wider society.
I spent 20 years being dismissed by the medical profession and, sadly, that's not an unusual experience
22 NOVEMBER 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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