'I wish people would talk more about 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 very advanced form of cervical cancer.
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.
Simeon, 9 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
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!