The underexplored links between cancer and the internal body climate: Implications for cancer prevention and treatment

I Was Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer At 38 – This Is Why You Should Never Miss A Smear Test

Lauren Jolly runs a busy life between her job as the head of buying for a women's wear retailer and her role at home as a wife to Matt and mother of Jack, seven, and Rhys, five. In 2023, Towcester-based Lauren's life slowed down significantly when the then 38-year-old was diagnosed with cervical cancer. 

"We walked into the room, and my doctor introduced us to a Macmillan nurse, so I instantly knew it was about to be bad news," Lauren remembers. "In the space of a week, I had a PET scan, an MRI scan, and then a CT scan."

Lauren discovers symptoms

Lauren had always been someone who was on top of her smear tests. "I grew up during the era of Jade Goody, so there was probably more awareness in my age group because she was a huge celebrity who died of cervical cancer," she explains. "I'd always been really religious about my smear tests, I was never late for them. I was even early one month; they canceled it because it was too soon."

In 2020, Lauren went for her scheduled smear test and had a letter come through that said that she had abnormal cells and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). "That was the first time I'd ever heard of HPV and [was told] that I would be referred for a colposcopy for them to check that there was nothing wrong," she remembers. 

Lauren also went to her smears religiously

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Lauren's appointment was postponed. Concerned about the abnormal cells, Lauren went privately for the colposcopy and a biopsy too. 

"They didn't see anything unduly worrying. Standard practice is that they refer you to be seen again a year later and then if there's any cause for concern, they do a process where they remove some of the cells just to make sure it doesn't turn cancerous," she explains.

Her smear came back clear in 2021, but by summer 2023, Lauren had started to notice some abnormal bleeding between her periods. 

"I'd always had really regular periods. At the time, I put it down to stress," Lauren says. "I was doing a busy job commuting to London. I had two small children, we'd obviously been through COVID. I'd recently gone back to work. The boys were both in nursery. There was a lot of rushing around to pick them up."

Lauren awaited her results while on holiday

Lauren also wondered if she had entered perimenopause. "I started to track in my head when it was happening. I started noticing the pattern and I just felt like it wasn't hormone related. It was more related to my bladder and bowel, which made me think that something was pressing on something," she recalls.

Wanting to be on the safe side, Lauren went to the GP in August. She was examined by a doctor who didn't believe she had cancer but referred her on the urgent cancer two-week pathway all the same. By October, she had had six biopsies and a colposcopy before jetting off on a week-long holiday that she and her family had been looking forward to. 

Lauren and her family on their last night in Greece - they had no idea what was going to happen 5 days later when she'd be diagnosed

With no family history of gynae cancers, Lauren had no reason to believe she was going to be diagnosed with the disease two years before her 40th birthday. 

Lauren receives a cancer diagnosis

Upon returning from her holiday, Lauren noticed that she had received an email from her doctor asking her to come in the next day for an in-person appointment. "My husband came with me to the appointment and he was adamant that I didn't have cancer," Lauren says. She, however, had her suspicions confirmed by the doctor who said she had cervical cancer which was believed to be stage one. 

"[This] meant that they would go ahead with a radical hysterectomy, which is where they remove your womb, tubes, top of the cervix, top part of the vagina and pelvic lymph nodes so they can check to see if it's moved to anywhere else in your body, and all of the tissues surrounding it, and then they send it off for testing."

Lauren decided, with the help of her Macmillan nurse Leslie, to keep her ovaries in the hope of having a natural menopause. "They did the surgery at the start of December 2023. It was weird because I was really nervous about the surgery, but I was also really excited to get the cancer out of my body," she says. 

Lauren worried about her children while she underwent cancer treatment

Having never had surgery before, Lauren went into overdrive with processing the news.

Lauren busied herself preparing for Christmas ahead of her surgery, which was booked for 11 December. "I knew that I was going to be in hospital for a few days and then I wouldn't really be able to do anything," Lauren recalls. "Aside from making sure the boys were looked after, protected, and ready for Christmas, I just wanted the cancer out of me."

Lauren starts treatment

The next seven months were gruelling for Lauren. After her surgery, she went to stay with her parents to recover and wait for her results to come in to check for a clear margin around everything that they've removed. "We had Christmas in between, which was helpful because it distracted from waiting for the results," she recalls. Lauren waited for five weeks before getting some tough news.

Lauren captured her final chemo session

"I got the results that I needed to have further treatment," she says, remembering how she started chemotherapy and radiotherapy just two months after surgery. She had a six-hour session of chemotherapy every Wednesday and radiotherapy Monday to Friday for six weeks.

"I had a small break, and then I had brachytherapy, which is an internal radiotherapy," she says. "It was probably the one I dreaded the most. Lauren finished her treatment in mid-April and waited three months before getting the all-clear.

Braving cancer treatment

Lauren's treatment was a rollercoaster of emotions. "Everyone always says that you don't really take in what they're saying when they diagnose you with cancer. But I honestly could tell you that meeting with the doctor word for word, because I was expecting him to say it," she says.

"What I found the hardest was that my husband really wasn't expecting it. My parents definitely weren't, and delivering that news to your mum and dad is just so hard. Even now, the stuff that still gets me is what everyone else has had to go through alongside me."

"My instant worry was how we could protect the boys from it because I didn't want it to be hard for them," she adds. " I knew that there was the risk of my elder son going into school and him saying, 'My mummy's got cancer' and someone else coming back with, 'My such and such died of that' because that's the reality of the disease."

Lauren's mum looked after her

Lauren also struggled with eating and feeling exhausted throughout her treatment. "The combination of the radiotherapy and the chemo did then stop my ovaries from working and I plummeted straight into a surgical menopause," she adds. 

"It's been quite hard to determine what's menopause-related and what's post-cancer treatment-related. I still ache a lot but I think that's starting to get a bit better, so I think that is probably more menopause related. I had no idea what a minefield HRT is."

The support of those closest to Lauren has kept her going. "From a family perspective, everyone just kind of fell into place of what they were naturally good at and what they were put here to do for me," she says. 

Lauren with her brother the day she rang the bell to signal the end of her treatment

Lauren's husband Matt accompanied her to every appointment and asked all the questions she had forgotten while taking care of the boys. Lauren's parents took care of her with her mum driving her to chemo appointments. 

"Some days I got in the car and I was happy and smiley. Some days, I got in the car and I cried the whole way to hospital. Other days I was eating salt and vinegar crisps like I was incredibly hungover at 8:00 am because I felt so sick," she remembers.

Lauren's brother, work colleagues, and the parents of her children's friends also rallied around. 

The road to recovery

After months of gruelling treatment, Lauren remembers being told she was cancer free while driving to the train station to head to work. "I wasn't expecting it, it was really weird," she says. "When I got home that evening, my mum and dad had been with the boys to buy loads of balloons, and had some champagne ready.

"We had a little drink with them and it was really lovely."

Looking to the future

Nowadays, Lauren sees her gynecologist every three months and her oncologist every six. "Sometimes my body still really frustrates me because it can't do what I used to," she says. "[But] I just feel so incredibly grateful, and that sometimes gets me emotionally because if I hadn't followed my gut, it could be totally different."

Lauren has also found empowerment through the Lady Garden Foundation. "I love that they are just straight up honest about it and don't beat around the bush," she says. "They're really getting out there and talking. In a way, it gave me more confidence to talk more openly about it."

Lauren gave an informative talk at work

Lauren even used some of their material to do a presentation at work during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. "I honestly never thought in my role that I would ever say the word 'vagina' at work," Lauren jokes. "They're really breaking down barriers, and it's really nice to have an actual gynae cancer charity that is raising awareness of gynae cancers because it just feels so needed."

ABOUT THE LADY GARDEN FOUNDATION

The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are:

Bleeding from the vagina at times other than when you are having a period

Vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant

Discomfort or pain during sex

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, particularly if they are not normal for you, they are persistent, there are repeated episodes, or they do not go away, be sure to visit your doctor for a check-up.

ABOUT THE LADY GARDEN FOUNDATION

Founded in 2014, The Lady Garden Foundation is on a mission to lead a revolution in Gynaecological health and raise significant funds for education and research that can drastically reduce these diagnoses and devastating outcomes. The Foundation believes that by 'breaking taboos' around female health, we can save lives.

The Lady Garden Foundation funds ground-breaking research into the treatment of the five gynaecological cancers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. As the oldest cancer hospital in the world, and one of the largest cancer centres in Europe, this research has a global impact on women's health.

At The Lady Garden Foundation, we stand together as daughters, sisters and mothers. Together we can make these cancers #silentnomore. Www.Ladygardenfoundation.Com

Lesser-known Hip Symptom That Could Indicate Cervical Cancer

03:29, 12 Mar 2025Updated 12:07, 12 Mar 2025

An expert has pinpointed four major "red flag" symptoms that may suggest cervical cancer, with a warning to remain vigilant as the earlier the disease is caught, the higher the chances of survival.

There are roughly 3,300 new cervical cancer diagnoses across the UK annually, resulting in about 850 deaths each year, according to figures from Cancer Research UK. Statistics also show that an overwhelming 99.8% of these cases could be prevented, and early detection can dramatically improve patient outcomes.

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It's crucial, therefore, to recognise key signs and consult a GP if necessary. Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which connects the lower part of the uterus to the vagina. Having regular smear tests is an effective way to combat the illness before it advances.

For those potentially affected by cervical cancer, attending scheduled smear appointments is strongly encouraged. Being mindful of cervical cancer symptoms and quickly seeking medical opinions is equally important, as is getting the HPV vaccine when it's offered to 11-18 years-olds.

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The importance of discussing preventative techniques with loved ones cannot be overstated – raising awareness is essential. Information and support regarding cervical cancer prevention are widely available from GPs and local sexual health services.

Alexandra Penk, Litigation Executive at Patient Claim Line, previously shared four red flags to watch out for with the Liverpool ECHO, as well as advising on steps to take if you've experienced delayed treatment. She pointed out one hip symptom - pelvic pain - as well as three others: "Pain or discomfort during sex, vaginal discharge and ... Another common symptom we hear about is unusual vaginal bleeding such as bleeding between periods, during or after sex and at any time after your menopause.

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"Ultimately, not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer will display symptoms, so it's crucial to attend regular cervical screening assessments."

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Ms Penk also shed light on the NHS cervical cancer screening programme, noting: "The NHS cervical screening programme is open to women aged between 25 and 64. It is also available for anyone in this age range who have a cervix, including trans men and non-binary people.

"In England and Northern Ireland, you should expect to receive an invite every three years, if you are aged between 25 and 49. If you are aged between 50 and 64, expect to receive an invite every five years. If you live in Scotland or Wales, you will be invited for screening every five years, between the ages of 25 and 64."

She further explained that cervical screening, often referred to as a smear test, involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix using a small, soft brush which is then analysed in a lab for HPV testing.

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"If you test positive for HPV, you will be invited for a colposcopy to examine your cervix more closely. If there are no cell changes, you will be invited for a cervical screening sooner than usual - around a year."

Cervical cancer symptoms as listed by the NHS

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

How is cervical cancer treated?

"Cervical cancer treatment will depend on where in the cervix the cancer is located as well as its size. Other important considerations include whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body as well as your general health. If you have a diagnosis of cervical cancer, you will usually have surgery or a form of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (known as chemoradiotherapy)."

What can I do if I've received delayed treatment for cervical cancer?

"If there's been a delay in treating your cervical cancer, this is considered to be medical negligence. You are therefore entitled to make a claim for compensation."

All You Need To Know About: Cervical Cancer

The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Photograph used for representational purposes onlyPhoto Credit: Getty Images

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer starts when the cells in the cervix begin to grow abnormally. These changes in the cells often take years to develop, which is why regular check-ups are very important. Early changes, known as precancerous conditions, can be detected through a routine pap smear.

Cervical cancer is a major health issue for women around the world. However, it is one of the easiest cancers to prevent and treat if diagnosed early. With the right knowledge about its causes, symptoms, and prevention, women can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Causes and risk factors

The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus spreads through sexual contact. Most people who get HPV never even know they have it because the body usually fights it off on its own. But sometimes, the virus doesn't go away and can cause abnormal changes in the cervix that might turn into cancer later.

Certain factors increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer. Unprotected sexual intercourse, smoking, hormonal contraceptives, and sexually transmitted diseases can all contribute to this risk.

Symptoms to watch for

In the early stages, cervical cancer usually doesn't cause symptoms, which is why regular screenings are vital. As it progresses, women might notice signs such as an unusual discharge or bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, or bleeding after menopause. Other symptoms can include pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, heavier-than-usual periods, or unexplained weight loss. If you have any of these symptoms, it is recommended to see a doctor right away.

Cervical cancer screening is essential for prevention and early detection. The two main tests used are the Papanicolaou (Pap) test and the HPV screening. The pap test looks for abnormal changes in cervical cells, while the HPV screening checks for the virus that can cause these changes.

Doctors recommend that women start getting pap tests at age 21 and continue every few years based on their age and medical history. For women aged 30 to 65, combining a pap test with an HPV test every five years is another effective option. Regular screenings can help catch any issues early, making treatment more successful and significantly reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Prevention is key 

When it comes to cervical cancer, one of the best ways to prevent it is by getting the HPV vaccine. This vaccine works best when given before exposure to the virus, usually between the ages of 9 and 12. However, it is still helpful for people up to age 45 and, in some cases, even older. Boys also receive the HPV vaccine, as it not only protects them from penile, anal, and throat cancers, but also contributes to reducing the overall transmission of the virus, benefiting public health.

Healthy habits also go a long way in reducing the risk of cervical cancer. Quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, practicing safe sex, and staying physically active can all help. It is also crucial to follow up on any abnormal test results and get regular check-ups.

Treatment options

If a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, treatment will depend on how far the cancer has progressed. In the early stages, surgery may be enough to remove the cancer. For more advanced cases, radiation therapy or chemotherapy (or both) may be given. These treatments work to destroy cancer cells and stop them from spreading.

Being diagnosed with cervical cancer can feel overwhelming, but it is important to remember that many women recover and go on to lead full, healthy lives. Having support from family, friends, and healthcare providers can make a big difference. There are also many support groups and organisations that offer help and resources for women and their families during this time.

A message of hope

Early detection through regular screenings, HPV vaccinations, and healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce risks. By staying informed about the importance of these measures, women can take proactive steps to protect their health and prevent cervical cancer.

Scheduling regular screenings and discussing the HPV vaccine with your doctor are crucial actions to take. Early detection can lead to more effective treatments, improve outcomes and save lives. Together, we can work towards a future where cervical cancer is no longer a threat. Empower yourself today by prioritising your health and making informed decisions that can lead to a healthier tomorrow.

(Dr. Shruthi Sreedhar is a consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai. Shruthiashwin@rocketmail.Com)

Published - March 19, 2025 12:50 pm IST

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