'I wish people would talk more about cancer'
Living with cervical cancer
'I'd had a couple of instances of spot bleeding but my doctor told me it was probably just erosion of the womb.
Then in May 2003, I had a bigger bleed than normal in between periods and this time it hurt, so I started to wonder if it was something else.
I'd had regular smears and they'd come back normal, so didn't think it could be anything really serious.
My doctor did some tests and told me he was going to refer me to the local gynaecological unit and within two weeks I had a letter with a really quick appointment. You never normally get seen that fast in the NHS, so that was the first time I thought it could be bad.
On June 7, I went to the hospital and was seen by three people. They told me I had 'CIN3 severe' and asked me if I knew what that meant. I'd read some leaflets and knew it was a severe form of abnormal cells.
The consultant told me they were going to take a biopsy to see how deep in the cervix it had gone. At no point did anyone mention the word 'cancer'.
The biopsy didn't hurt, but everything was a real shock. The consultants told me that it might be treatable with an endoscopy, but if it was too deep, I'd need a hysterectomy.
As I was leaving, I said: "Can I ask one question? Do I have cancer?" They replied: "Yes, you do, but it's the most treatable one, so it'll be all right."
I 'did' have cancer. It was like being hit with a hammer and it was all I could think about.
Two days later, the consultant called me at home and told me that tumour was 5mm deep, so I'd need radical surgery to remove it, which included a hysterectomy.
The thought of it made me feel as if I was no longer a woman. I desperately wanted people to talk to me about it and ask what I was scared about, but my friends and family just glossed over the whole thing. They just used to say I was 'ill'.
Two months later I went back to the hospital for keyhole surgery to remove the tumour. It was a success, but hours afterwards, I suffered a massive internal bleed and had to be rushed straight back into surgery. This time I really nearly did lose my life.
For the first 3 years, I went back for a check every 3 months. Now I'm down to one a year. I'm in remission and if next year's check-up is all clear, then I'll be signed off.
It's made me appreciate my life and I live for every moment - no more Sunday morning lie-ins for me. I feel very lucky and my biggest wish is that people talk more openly about cancer, rather than try and ignore it.'
Sara Brooks, 37, Bristol
Cancerbackup provides support and information to anyone affected by cancer. Visit www.cancerbackup.org.uk/whatnow or freephone 0808 800 1234 to speak to a cancer specialist nurse.
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Simeon, about 1 year
What a fantastic article! Sara is a courageous woman who dedicates all of her spare time (night and day) to informing others of the importance of talking about cancer instead of brushing it under the carpet expecting all the thoughts, feelings and emotions to then disapear. I hope and pray that others may find inspiration from Sara's article and wether or not we may be scared by this awefull disease we can all learn from Sara's ethos that Life is so very special and precious and no matter what position we find ourselves to be in during our lives, you must never waste it. Thankyou Sara for your ceaseless courage, hope and passion for life evan after all you have been through with your battle with cancer and with the way you still deal with the every day problems that the effects of cancer throws at you! I know you will, but just keep talking! Your Friend!
Report this commentiza, about 1 year
hello,im female 23 andi have girlfreind shehave cancer in vigina that she told me andi had s** widhe couple times i waana know that maybe that canbe im also efected fromher during s** or if she have aids that i canbe be also efected from that disease our s** was between 2 gals me and my girlfriend from vigana to vigana pls emial me in detail thanks
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Elena, 9 months
I am confused by this story and I wanted to let worried women who stumble across this story know that CIN3 is not "a very advanced form of cervical cancer". CIN3 is the most advanced change in cells on the cervix, before they become cancerous. They can be easily treated. CIN3 is NOT cancer so if this is what you have been diagnosed with and you find this story, please don't worry! I can only assume that whoever wrote up Sara's story didn't really understand what she had gone through (perhaps the biopsy showed that she actually had cervical cancer, rather than CIN3?). On another point, changes in cervical cells cannot be treated with an endoscopy (an endoscopy is a tube with a camera and light attached and used to look inside the body). I am very sorry for what Sara has been through and I'm glad she came through it. I just wanted to clarify this for anyone who is worried about CIN3 and finds this story and it scares them senseless!
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