The Eve Appeal is the leading UK national charity funding research and raising awareness into the five gynaecological cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. It is so important to know your body, and what is normal or abnormal for you. Below, you can read the stories of Laura, Alison, and Kathy, who talk about their experiences with vaginal cancer and breast and ovarian cancer.
If you have any questions or worries about your gynae health, you can get in touch with our Ask Eve nurses for free by contacting nurse@eveappeal.org.uk, calling 0808 802 0019, or by clicking below to go to our online contact form.
Laura Simmons, who was diagnosed with vaginal cancer:
“When I started having some abnormal bleeding I knew it wasn’t normal as my periods were always regular. I also had this really severe itching in my groin and a watery, smelly discharge.
After going to the doctors, and getting referred to be checked, I got the call ‘Can you come in because the doctor wants to see you? And bring someone with you’. I just knew it was cancer. She said the biopsies had come back as vaginal cancer- we hadn’t even heard of it before.
It is so hard being diagnosed with cancer when you are young, and a parent of young children. I remember picking up my eight-year-old from football, I was just waiting for him in the car crying and thinking that I have to pick him up and tell him now.
My operation was due the first week of the first lockdown and I was anxious it would be postponed. Luckily, it went ahead as planned and the surgery went well. My scan showed that I was all clear!
I would urge anyone reading this to not leave any symptoms they are worried about. You never think it is going to be you, but it could be anyone. I am so young to get vaginal cancer, I was 38 when I was diagnosed, so it happens. So it is always worth getting checked, just in case.”
Alison Dagul, who has breast and ovarian cancer and is a BRCA gene alteration carrier:
“I was given a heart-breaking diagnosis of stage 4 breast and ovarian cancer, both had been triggered by the BRCA1 gene alteration that I had no idea I was carrying.
Being Jewish meant I had a higher chance of being a carrier as the alteration is more prevalent in our community, and I had unknowingly passed this alteration onto my beautiful daughter. But here is the silver lining – knowing my BRCA status has ultimately saved her life. I’m eternally grateful, that at only 26, she took the brave decision of having a risk reducing double mastectomy.
By knowing your BRCA status, you are providing women with the opportunity and choice to take steps to protect themselves and their families from cancer.”
Kathy Morse, who was diagnosed with vaginal cancer:
“I was diagnosed with rare stage 3 vaginal cancer in 2020 when I was 53.
I only had one symptom, a lump in my vagina, but I went to my doctor during the first lockdown and insisted on a referral. I was diagnosed later that year; it’s a very rare cancer and I didn’t fit the typical age bracket. I had to have a complex operation to remove the tumour, as well as vaginal reconstruction, radio therapy and chemotherapy.
Cancer does not scare me, but on the days that it challenges me I try to remember that I am incredibly lucky to have two healthy adult children and a big support network.
Remember, if you spot anything worrying, please get checked out, don’t die of embarrassment.”