Smear tests can save your life

As she prepares to undergo treatment for cervical cancer, Siobhan Sycamore is urging other women not to miss their routine cervical cancer screenings and raised fears over the gap between tests potentially being extended from three to five years.

The 29-year-old attended a screening – also known as a smear test – in early spring and received a letter following her appointment stating that ‘abnormal cells’ were present in her cervix.

Having undergone further tests at Hull Royal Infirmary, Siobhan was called back into hospital two weeks later and given her diagnosis, which means she will not be able to have children.

Various scans showed that the cancer was at stage 2B, one stage beyond being able to remove the cervix to eliminate the disease.

The North Frodingham resident will begin radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy from Monday 23rd May.

Siobhan told the Wolds Weekly that she would have had no idea about the cancer had she not attended her appointment.

“I received a letter in the post to go for a test and attended as I normally do,” she explained.

“Another letter came shortly after to say they had found abnormal cells and to go for another appointment, which the results would come back in four to six weeks.

“Two weeks later, a phone call told me to attend Castle Hill Hospital and bring someone with me, which didn’t sound good.

“I was diagnosed with cervical cancer and had CT, PET and MRI scans which found I was at stage 2B, but thankfully it hadn’t spread to other organs.

“If I had been at stage 2A, I could have had my cervix removed, but instead, I need radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy which will begin at Castle Hill Hospital on the week commencing 23rd May.

“I was in complete shock for quite a while, especially since I still feel as though nothing is wrong.

“Looking back, I developed back pain at work having changed roles to be sitting down a lot more and my menstrual cycle went to pot after I had my COVID jabs, but I have no idea if they’re linked.

“I want to reach out to as many women as possible to ensure that they attend a smear test when invited as I know some who are in their 30s who have never had one.

“Nobody wants to have one, but it’s just a few minutes of being uncomfortable and it could save your life.”

In England, women aged 25 to 49 are currently invited for a cervical screening every three years.

This rule applied in Scotland and Wales until 1st January 2022 when it was extended to every five years.

Petitions have been launched in a bid to reverse this change and Siobhan said that she fears for other women if the same protocol was applied in England.

“Five years between screenings is far too long,” she added. “The reason behind the extension of time between tests is as it is a slow spreading form of cancer.

“As I said, I still don’t feel as if anything is wrong with me, however if I had gone another two years without a screening, I could have been in a lot worse position.

“My appointment was more or less three years after my previous one, it’s not as though it was delayed due to COVID or I’d missed one.

“A friend of mine lives in Egypt and she said you can just walk into a clinic and ask for one.

“I’m not saying that should be the system here, but I think women should be able to access appointments better and more readily if they want to.”

Due to Siobhan being at stage 2B of cervical cancer, the nature of her treatment means that unfortunately she will never be able to have children of her own.

“That news is what has hit me the hardest,” she said. “I’m only 29 and thought that I had plenty of time to have children.

“I’ve enquired about having some eggs frozen, as that would enable me to have children via surrogate, however I’m not sure if that is a possibility at the moment.

“Not being able to have children upset my mum too as she currently doesn’t have any grandchildren, however I do have siblings, so it is still a possibility for her.

“My mum was upset, but she told me that my treatment is more important and the support which I have received from my family and friends has been amazing.

“I’ve had lots of flowers sent to me and messages telling me that I will beat this, which I believe that I can.”