My ‘classic’ cancer symptoms were dismissed as an STI for a year – now I’m in constant pain and can’t care for my kids
STEPH Washington was diagnosed with stage four cancer after medics dismissed her symptoms as a STI for a year – and she doesn’t know how long she has left.
The 38-year-old mum-of-three has was left in constant pain with “classic” cervical cancer symptoms – but says she was never offered a smear test and was “repeatedly failed” by the NHS and her GP surgery.
She was forced to agonisingly wait more than 12 months for her diagnosis following eight appointments with her doctor and multiple emergency hospital visits.
Steph said numerous medical specialists failed to ensure appropriate examinations and tests were carried out to rule out any serious condition back in 2022.
Instead, she was repeatedly prescribed with antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis and suspected sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Stay-at-home mum Steph was left devastated when a biopsy in August 2023 revealed she has stage four terminal cancer and may only have years to live.
Greens Health Centre in Dudley, West Mids., has since admitted medical negligence and accepted she would have received earlier treatment and potentially been cured with an appropriate level of care.
Steph, of Brierley Hill, West Mids., is now calling for increased smear testing after her heartbreaking diagnosis and 12 months of telling people “she wasn’t right”.
Steph, who is currently receiving around the clock care from her parents, added: “I’m so angry and frustrated.
“My life has been completely turned upside down, I can no longer look after my two younger children and I’m still in constant pain.
“Having a smear test in April 2022, when my symptoms first started, would have confirmed my diagnosis or at least started the process that led to diagnosis.
“Instead, I kept being told I had vaginal infections – all the treatments unsurprisingly failed to work, the pain was getting worse, and I was constantly going back and forth to my GP and, later on, emergency visits to the hospital.
“I said to my mum that I had cancer, but the medical professionals were telling me it was all in my head.
“Then, nearly a year on from first having the symptoms, I was given the devastating news that I had stage four cervical cancer – a hammer blow in every sense of the word.
“I’m keen to back DIY home cervical screening tests on the NHS, which would help increase the number of women being screened and ultimately save lives – it would also take away some of the anxiety and make smear tests a lot easier to access.
“If I’d have been offered a smear test in April 2022, my outcome could have been a lot different.”
Steph began suffering persistent symptoms such as pelvic and lower back pain, offensive discharge, irregular periods, unusual vaginal bleeding, fatigue and unexplained weight loss in April 2022.
The NHS website lists lower back pain, heavier periods and changes to vaginal discharge as main symptoms of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer symptoms
ACCORDING to the NHS, the main symptoms of cervical cancer 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 have another condition like fibroids or endometriosis, you may get symptoms like these regularly.
But it’s important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.
Despite completing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Steph’s condition has worsened, and she is now reliant on her parents to help her complete everyday tasks.
She remains in constant pain, barely leaves the house apart from medical appointments and has lost 10 stone in weight.
Two of her three younger children, aged 20, 15 and 13, also now have to live with their father.
The determined mum is set to have complicated exenteration surgery that, if successful, could potentially increase her life expectancy.
Rajni Kandola, senior solicitor at Talbots Law, representing Steph, said: “It has been a privilege to support Steph throughout her journey and I’m in awe of the strength and resilience she has shown whilst dealing with such a life-changing diagnosis.
“Despite the turmoil she has been put through, she joins us in remaining committed to ensuring that lessons are learnt.
“We are now working with the NHS to reach a settlement, which will ensure Steph receives the specialist care and support she needs to continue to navigate life with a life-limiting disease.
“The NHS’ admission of liability and apology is bittersweet for Steph.
“Whilst the admission is welcome, it’s vital that improvements are made to patient safety to prevent other women from going through what she unfortunately has.”
Greens Health Centre has not responded to requests for comment.
How to protect yourself against cervical cancer
CERVICAL cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women in their early 30s, with around 3,200 new cases and 850 deaths each year in the UK.
According to CRUK, the five-year survival rate is around 70 per cent – and the earlier it is caught, the better.
Cervical screening programmes and HPV vaccines have reduced rates and save 4,000 lives each year.
It is vital you attend your smear test and get jabbed when invited, and that you know the symptoms of cervical cancer to look out for.
These aren’t always obvious, and they may not become noticeable until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.
But you might notice:
- Unusual bleeding (often after sex, between periods, or after the menopause)
- Pain and discomfort during sex
- Vaginal discharge (often unpleasant smelling)
- Pain in your lower back, between your hip bones or in your lower tummy
Women are invited to have regular cervical screenings between the ages of 25 and 64. How often depends on your age.
The HPV vaccine, which helps protect against the virus, is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 and people at higher risk from HPV.
Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK