'I ignored symptoms but routine tests saved my life'

A woman who ignored changes to her monthly period said routine tests could have saved her life.

Carly Brown, from Devizes in Wiltshire, was 32 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which was identified through screening.

Cervical screening, often known as smear tests, are offered to women from the ages of 25 to 64. But only about one in three eligible women do not attend.

Brown, now aged 35, said she believes the test saved her life, adding: "I kept putting off having a cervical screening test. I just didn't want to know and I kept telling myself I was too young to get this type of cancer."

"I feel very fortunate that things worked out so well for me. If I'd continued to put off having a screening it could have been very different.

"I hope my experience will show women the importance of going to those appointments and not ignoring symptoms – early detection really could save your life," she added.

The mother-of-two had experienced a change in her monthly periods, including heavier bleeding, but had "dismissed it" as nothing worrying.

She thought it was probably down to her age and having children.

After booking a screening through her GP, Brown was referred to the Royal United Hospital in Bath (RUH) for further tests and a biopsy.

She said: "When I received the call from the RUH with the news that it was cancer I just burst into tears. I just didn't know what I was going to do."

She then underwent five weeks of chemotherapy followed by five weeks of radiotherapy, which she described as exhausting.

"I can't fault the RUH – the care, support and compassion I was shown was fantastic the whole way through," she said.

"Being told I was cancer-free was amazing, unbelievable. I just can't describe how wonderful it was to get that news."

Brown still returns to the RUH every three months for further check-ups.

"If there's one thing I've learnt, it's that you can't get time back – make time to attend those appointments," she added.

According to Cancer Research UK, there are 3,300 new cases of cervical cancer each year in the UK.

Symptoms include:

• vaginal bleeding that's unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
• changes to your vaginal discharge
• pain during sex
• pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy

If you are a trans man or non-binary and have a cervix, you can speak to your GP, sexual health clinic or transgender health clinic about getting invitations routinely.

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