Don't be embarrassed – it could save your life

HEALTH professionals are urging women not to be embarrassed when it comes to their gynaecological health ... as it could one day save your life.

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness month, which is being supported by local health experts in Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals.

RAISING AWARENESS: Sharon Tyler advises women to get checked out by their GP if they have any symptoms.

The aim is to get women talking about the disease so they know what classic signs and symptoms to look out for in order to get the quick diagnosis that is crucial in beating all cancers.



Health professional Sharon Prudhoe is backing the campaign.

She said: "Women shouldn't be scared or embarrassed in seeking medical advice from their GP, as in the majority of cases it won't be cancer.

"However, for those where cancer is diagnosed, earlier detection and treatment will improve the outcome."

There are five types of gynaecological cancers – ovarian, womb, cervic, vaginal and vulval – and statistics released by the Eve Appeal, a gynaecological cancer charity, show 18,000 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer every year in the UK and sadly 7,500 women die.

One woman, who knows only too well about the importance of an early diagnosis is Sharon Tyler, of Alexandra Road, Grimsby, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September 2009.

The only symptoms she had was a constant feeling of being full and a metallic taste in her mouth.

In the June, Sharon's routine cervical screening had come back clear so when her weight plummeted by two-and-a-half stone in a short space of time, cervical cancer was the last thing on her mind.

Eventually she went to her GP who discovered a mass. Then, days later, while awaiting tests, she collapsed and was rushed to Grimsby's Diana Princess of Wales Hospital.
Doctors initially diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) but after further examination she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

After five months of gruelling chemotherapy and treatment, Sharon beat the disease but pledged to share her story in the hope others would listen and more lives would be saved.

She said: "It is normal for women to feel embarrassed but women must talk to their nurses, they have an answer for everything and there is nothing you can't ask them. They should also talk to their families too.

"If problems persist, they should keep going back to the GP and keep getting it checked out. I have met a lot of women who were originally treated for IBS, but if symptoms keep occurring they shouldn't brush it off, they should insist on having more tests.

"I feel very lucky and happy to be here. I don't kid myself that it won't come back, I know it might, but at the moment, I have a new lease of life."

Sharon added: "Many of the symptoms can be caused by more common conditions, but if you have any of them, you should see your GP.

"If you have already visited your GP and they continue or worsen, return and explain to your doctor – as you know your body better than anyone."