I was age 47 and peri-menopausal when I had my last smear test in 2004. As usual the nurse said it might be a bit uncomfortable – I bled on contact). I went away worrying that the test had caused damage and that I was somehow a failure for finding it so difficult. Anyway, as usual, the results came back as normal.
When my next test was due I was fearful, remembering how painful it was 3 years earlier. I concluded that, with body changes brought about by an imminent menopause, I could not tolerate the test. As time went on I smothered my fear by persuading myself that I had a low risk for cervical cancer and that the smear test was no longer relevant for me. I based this perception on being a life-long non-smoker, never been on the pill, long term monogamy, never been pregnant, having a healthy life-style, and a history of normal smear test results. Anyway I was busy!
Late summer 2016, age 60, I suddenly started to get a persistent yellow vaginal discharge. I thought it was a simple infection that would clear itself and just coped with panty liners. Then just after Christmas 2016 I experienced a vaginal bleed very much like a period (not right for a post-menopausal woman) at which point I went into melt-down. An urgent visit to the GP resulted in fast track referral for a hysteroscopy to investigate for fibroids. The procedure, performed under general anaesthetic, revealed that my cervix appeared abnormal: now I was scared big time!
Biopsies from the cervix and subsequent MRI and PET scans led to a diagnosis of a stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. My treatment was a pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by a radical hysterectomy after which I was told that my cancer was bigger than first thought. My diagnosis was now a stage IIA cancer so I underwent further treatment with 5-6 weeks of chemo-radiotherapy which was gruelling with fatigue, nausea and diarrhoea. My treatment has given me a range of long term side-effects such as lymphoedema (swelling) in my right thigh/groin and continence problems.
After the hysterectomy I was very distressed to find I was unable to wee properly. Sadly, eleven months later I still have the problem and have to self-catheterise 4-6 times a day in order to empty my bladder. For the cancer itself I am on a 5 year follow-up for test of cure.
With hindsight, instead of dwelling on how painful the smear test might be it would have been better if I’d thought how quickly it would be over with. I certainly wished I’d asked for help, and discussed my fears, rather than just doing nothing.
Now, I’m always looking for opportunities to talk to other women and the men in their lives about the importance of keeping up to date with their cervical smear tests. Not least because I wished someone had talked to me. I’m careful to choose appropriate situations and always start by sharing my own experience. I have found a ‘one to one’ chat is a good way of getting a ‘lapsed’ or ‘non-attending’ woman to reconsider; one lovely young chap said he was going to remind his Mum.
Additionally, I offer a Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust mini factsheet which gives good clear information, website address and a number for their helpline. I am encouraged by the generally warm and appreciative response I get.