Cervical cancer survivor, 24, who bled after sex and between her periods was told she was ‘too young’ to get a smear test
Heather Ryan was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was 24 and the early cell changes in her cervix were not picked up
A WOMAN who was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 24 has shared her story to encourage women to have their smear tests.
Heather Ryan, from Tipperary, Ireland, was diagnosed with the disease a year before she was eligible for a smear test, and she’s spoken out during about her symptoms.
Heather first went to her GP in 2016 when she experienced bleeding between periods and after sex.
She was told to come back when she was 25, and wrote on : “Because I was 24 I was not entitled to a free smear and the early cell changes in my cervix were not picked up.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I had cancer.”
Her symptoms worsened and when she became anaemic, she was referred to a specialist who diagnosed her with having stage one cervical cancer.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
As noted on NHS Direct, there are no obvious symptoms during the early stages of cervical cancer.
However, vaginal bleeding can often be a tell-tale sign - especially if it occurs after sex, in between periods or after the menopause.
That said, abnormal bleeding is not a definite sign of the condition - just a possible indicator.
Nevertheless, it should be investigated by your GP as soon as possible.
They can refer you to a specialist within two weeks if they have further concerns.
Other warning signs include:
- pain and discomfort during sex
- unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
And if it spreads to other organs, the signs can include:
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
- severe pain in your side or back caused by your kidneys
- constipation
- peeing or pooing more than usual
- losing control of your bladder or bowels
- blood in your pee
- swelling in one or both legs
- severe vaginal bleeding
She continued: “Biopsys were taken and I was then referred to a gynecology oncology specialist and then I was brought into the room!
“You know the room were people get bad news. With the box of tissues on the table. I knew what was coming.
“I was told I had cervical cancer. I needed an MRI to see if the cancer had spread from my cervix.”
How we can make a difference
In many surgeries, smear tests are only available at certain times or days, making it difficult for some women to book an appointment.
That’s why #CheersForSmears is calling on GPs to offer more flexible screening times and make testing available outside of office hours and at weekends.
We also want employers to play their part in helping to ensure that their female employees can attend potentially life-saving cervical screenings if they are unable to get an appointment outside of working hours.
Help get your employer involved by emailing [email protected].
Thankfully the cancer was confined to her cervix, and doctors were able to remove it with surgery.
She added: “Four weeks after being told I had cancer it was gone! I was lucky so so so lucky to have caught it on time.
“I AM CANCER FREE!
“That was the most dramatic emotionally painful experience of my life and no one should ever have to go through it.
“So with your help I want to share my story so that there is more awareness around cervix cancer.”
When she first shared the post a few years ago, it was liked and shared thousands of times, with many people praising her for her “bravery”.
She initially shared it in January 2016, but reposted to tie in with Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.
Get social!
You can help us spread the message by joining in on social.
We're asking women to share a photo with a pair of knickers and the hashtag #CheersForSmears tagging the women they love in their life, to remind them to get tested on time.
Cervical screenings save 5,000 lives every year - but let's make that number higher!
Please make sure to also tag @fabulousmag and the charity Jo's Trust (Twitter: @jotrust, Insta/FB: , the age of testing is also 25 and above.
Recent research by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust shows that over a third of women aged between 25 to 35 are ‘too embarrassed’ to get tested.
Of those surveyed, 35 per cent were embarrassed to go for a test because of their body shape, while 34 per cent put it down to the appearance of their vulva and 38 per cent because of concerns about smelling ‘normal’.
HEATHER'S FACEBOOK POST IN FULL
This week is cervical cancer awareness week. So please share my story to let people know the importance of going for smears and listening to your body.
I want to share my story, to help others be more aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer. So that girls under 25 that are not entitled to a free smear know what to look out for and for those who are over 25 be more aware of the importance of going for your smear.
I was diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer at the age of 24. Because I was 24 I was not entitled to a free smear and the early cell changes in my cervix were not picked up.
I started bleeding between my periods and bleeding after sex. I went to see my GP and was told to come back when I was 25 for a smear. I thought that's fine. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I had cancer. Three months later the bleeding got worse and I became anaemic. I returned to my GP and was referred to a gynecologist. Biopsys were taken and I was then referred to an gynecology oncology specialist and then I was brought into the room! You know the room were people get bad news. With the box of tissues on the table.
I knew what was coming.......
I was told I had cervical cancer. I needed an MRI to see if the cancer had spread from my cervix. The results would decide what treatment I needed.
Fortunately the cancer was confined to my cervix and surgery would be able to remove it. Four weeks after being told I had cancer it was gone! I was lucky so so so lucky to have caught it on time.
I AM CANCER FREE!
That was the most dramatic emotionally painful experience of my life and no one should ever have to go through it. So with your help I want to share my story so that there is more awareness around cervix cancer.
If your over 25 please go for your smear tests make time for it! They are so important. I wish I had the opportunity to have caught the cell changes before it became cancerous. If you are under 25 and feel something is not right please go and get it check out with your GP.
Source:
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
My beautiful daughter died of shame after skipping her smear test – as sudden cancer diagnosis left her three kids motherless.
Millions of women risk cervical cancer as they shun smear tests in record numbers – know the signs of the silent killer.
Jade Goody’s dying wish has been denied as money for her sons vanishes, Jack Tweed claims.