A woman diagnosed with cervical cancer has spoken out about how doctors had dismissed her four telltale symptoms for years before finally diagnosing her with the disease.
Megan White, from Dorset, was just 24 years old when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October 2018. She had gone to her doctor after suffering from what she thought were menstrual symptoms. But instead of being diagnosed, she was told her pain was a result of her having an “overly sensitive uterus”.
It wasn’t until three years later that she finally found out the truth. In June 2018, she had a smear test that revealed she had Stage 1B cervical cancer.
White had been suffering from four key symptoms beforehand, including heavy and longer-than-normal periods, pelvic pain, and bleeding during or after sex. But she said all of these were dismissed by doctors as being normal.
“I was told that my heavy periods were due to me having a highly sensitive uterus and that the pelvic pain was due to endometriosis,” she said. “I was also told the bleeding during and after sex was due to an infection that would clear up with antibiotics.”
White added that if her doctors had taken her seriously, her cancer could have been caught earlier, which would have meant she could have been treated with a much simpler procedure.
“It’s so important to listen to your body and if you feel something is wrong, push for answers,” she said. “Don’t accept what you’re being told if it doesn’t feel right, and if you’re worried, get a second opinion.”
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United Kingdom, with around 3,200 women diagnosed each year. It’s largely preventable, but it’s important to be aware of the symptoms, which include unexplained pain in the pelvic area, irregular bleeding between periods, and bleeding after sex.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact your doctor for advice.