Cervical Cancer survivor from Broughton tells her story ahead of World Cancer Day next week

    Rebecca talks on the importance of cervical cancer, the importance of smear tests and more ahead of World Cancer Day next week.

    Rebecca was diagnosed with cervical cancer on New Years Eve, after receiving her first NHS letter for a smear test back in 2015. Rebecca decided back then that she didn't need to take the test.

    "It was only until May 2020 when I started to have some discomfort and bleeding during intercourse, and in September I began having irregular periods where I started to panic as I knew this wasn’t normal.

    "I thought it was due to stress and decided to speak to my GP about my anti-depressants to see if this was something that could be causing the problems. My GP seemed rather concerned and told me to come in on that day to see her to be examined. Well, that wasn’t what I wanted, I was absolutely mortified.

    "My examination turned into a smear test, my smear test turned into two colposcopies, my colposcopies turned into MRI, CT and TA transvaginal scans.

    "After weeks of waiting for the results, on 31st December 2020 I received the call, I had been diagnosed with cervical cancer."

    Next Thursday (4/2) marks World Cancer Day, a day that unites people, communities and entire countries to raise awareness for Cancer and take action.

    This years theme is ‘I Am and I Will’, which encourages fundraising despite the current pandemic. 

    According to Cancer Research UK, over 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. 

    51% of women survive cervical cancer after ten years. However, 99.8% of cases are preventable. 854 women died of cervical cancer between 2016 and 2018.

    "It’s been less than a month since I have been diagnosed, my cancer may have spread so I now need a PET-CT Scan. I think about my future every single day.

    "The thoughts never leave you regardless of how much love and support you have; you will constantly feel alone because you are the one going through it. I still wish I had just gone for my smear test when I was advised to.

    "Please, don’t be like me, get your smear test booked and keep yourself safe. If you do not know already, the main symptoms of Cervical Cancer are:

    • Unusual bleeding such as during or after sex, between your periods or if you have been through Menopause.
    • Pain during sex, unusual and/or unpleasant discharge and pains to your lower back or Pelvis."

    Full details of Cervical Cancer symptoms are listed on the NHS website here, along with a full guide on how a Cervical Screening is done. 

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