{"id":50641,"date":"2016-10-11T12:51:16","date_gmt":"2016-10-11T12:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/mother-of-two-loses-part-of-her-cervix-to-cancer-despite-going-for-regular-smear-tests\/"},"modified":"2016-10-11T12:51:16","modified_gmt":"2016-10-11T12:51:16","slug":"mother-of-two-loses-part-of-her-cervix-to-cancer-despite-going-for-regular-smear-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/mother-of-two-loses-part-of-her-cervix-to-cancer-despite-going-for-regular-smear-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Mother-of-two loses part of her cervix to cancer despite going for regular smear tests"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">A mother-of-two who suffered bleeding between periods was devastated to be told she had cervical cancer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Gemma Patten, 30, had surgery to remove part of her cervix and vagina and chemotherapy after being diagnosed in May this year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Doctors first did a vaginal swab to test for sexually transmitted infections gonorrhoea and chlamydia after going to the doctors because she was bleeding between periods.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But when they came back negative she underwent further examinations at Barnet Hospital in north London, which revealed she was suffering from cancer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">This was despite a smear test she had three years ago, coming back clear.<\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-a45ee853ec7281bc\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/09\/394CCEDB00000578-3832071-image-a-15_1476175688287.jpg\" height=\"845\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Gemma Patten, with daughters\u00a0Savannah, four, and Arizona, 18 months, discovered she had cervical cancer after going to the doctors as she was bleeding between periods\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Gemma Patten, with daughters\u00a0Savannah, four, and Arizona, 18 months, discovered she had cervical cancer after going to the doctors as she was bleeding between periods<\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-6167ede50f19734d\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/09\/394CCEAA00000578-3832071-image-m-17_1476175855095.jpg\" height=\"653\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Ms Patten had surgery to remove the tumour and is pictured here wearing a cold cap, designed to reduce hair loss, \u00a0during chemotherapy\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Ms Patten had surgery to remove the tumour and is pictured here wearing a cold cap, designed to reduce hair loss, \u00a0during chemotherapy<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Faced with the prospect of a hysterectomy, she instead opted for a trachelectomy, where surgeons removed the cancerous part of her cervix.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She is now recovering from her operation but \u00a0Ms Patten, who is mother to Savannah, four, and Arizona, 18 months, said it feels like part of her \u2018has been taken away\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul class=\"rotator-panels link-bogr1 linkro-ccox\">\n<li>\n<p>          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/01\/0B943FBD00000578-0-image-a-52_1476144477771.jpg\" width=\"62\" height=\"60\" \/><span>Four in ten GP surgery patients delay booking appointments\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/00\/394AC2C400000578-0-image-a-65_1476141332767.jpg\" width=\"62\" height=\"60\" \/><span>Should women get testosterone by the NHS to boost their sex\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/10\/23\/3930BEA100000578-0-image-m-54_1476138821419.jpg\" width=\"62\" height=\"60\" \/><span>Cancer patients only diagnosed when they end up at AE:\u00a0Are\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/10\/22\/3949CA5B00000578-0-image-a-26_1476134071134.jpg\" width=\"62\" height=\"60\" \/><span>Still unsure whether or not you should carry a donor card?\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In February this year, Ms Patten started experiencing heavy bleeding between periods.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">After testing negative for the STIs, she went on to have a routine smear test where nurses found more blood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I was told the doctor wanted to see me immediately,\u2019 she said.\u00a0\u2018He said I would get my results in the post within seven days.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She was told she had abnormal cells and needed a colposcopy, a procedure to examine cells in the cervix more closely.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018That\u2019s when I became scared,\u2019 she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-87b3ac45c2b8a18b\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/10\/394CCE8A00000578-3832071-image-m-36_1476178674889.jpg\" height=\"1098\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Ms Patten was told she needed to have either a hysterectomy, where the womb is removed, or a procedure called a\u00a0trachelectomy (pictured before the operation)\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Ms Patten was told she needed to have either a hysterectomy, where the womb is removed, or a procedure called a\u00a0trachelectomy (pictured before the operation)<\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-32a77794940733bf\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/10\/394CCE9300000578-3832071-She_decided_to_have_a_trachelectomy_where_surgeons_removed_the_c-m-38_1476178773623.jpg\" height=\"839\" width=\"634\" alt=\"She decided to have a trachelectomy\u00a0where surgeons removed the cancerous part of her cervix but that also means she can still have children\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">She decided to have a trachelectomy\u00a0where surgeons removed the cancerous part of her cervix but that also means she can still have children<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I had the symptoms and abnormal cells. I just knew it couldn\u2019t be anything but cancer.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">In May she went to Barnet Hospital with her mother, Dawn, 52, where her fears were confirmed.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wocc\">                    <span>SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Some recognised symptoms associated with cervical cancer include:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Abnormal bleeding: during or after sexual intercourse, or between periods<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Post menopausal bleeding, if you are not on HRT or have stopped it for six weeks<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Unusual and\/or unpleasant vaginal discharge<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Discomfort or pain during sex<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Lower back pain<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Source:\u00a0Jo\u2019s Cervical Cancer Trust\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I saw on the magnified screen what looked like a huge lump,\u2019 she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018The nurse took a biopsy and sent it off and told me not to worry. She said it could be anything, but I knew exactly what it was and so did she.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018It looked so evil. I was staring at it and that\u2019s when I knew for sure what it was.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">A week later, Ms Patten was summoned back to the hospital and told she had a 1cm cancerous tumour of the cervix.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She was referred to University College Hospital, central London, where doctors informed her they had caught the cancer early.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But she was given two options \u2013 a hysterectomy or a procedure to have part of her vagina removed, called a trachelectomy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Unsure whether she might want more children with partner Joshua Archibong, 37, they opted for the latter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The trachelectomy meant the couple would still have the option of having more children and involved having her cervix and the upper part of the vagina removed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">It wouldn\u2019t affect her sex life either, but Ms Patten said the thought of losing part of her cervix and vagina was still daunting.<\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-14eb3305ceb6d435\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/10\/394CCE8200000578-3832071-image-a-46_1476179041030.jpg\" height=\"584\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Miss Patten, pictured before her diagnosis, said the thought of losing part of herself was 'daunting' but necessary to see her children grow up\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Miss Patten, pictured before her diagnosis, said the thought of losing part of herself was \u2018daunting\u2019 but necessary to see her children grow up<\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-4d1150b329c46af7\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/10\/394CCEB200000578-3832071-image-a-44_1476179004805.jpg\" height=\"459\" width=\"306\" alt=\"\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-47e3a9f679cb84eb\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/10\/394CCEA400000578-3832071-image-m-43_1476178995115.jpg\" height=\"459\" width=\"306\" alt=\"\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Further tests revealed nodules on her lungs so she had chemotherapy, wearing a cold cap to try and keep her hair, which has so far been successful<\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-c17591685eda39ec\" src=\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2016\/10\/11\/10\/394CCEFA00000578-3832071-image-a-45_1476179011640.jpg\" height=\"476\" width=\"634\" alt=\"The mother to\u00a0Savannah, left, and Arizona, middle, pictured with her partner Joshua Archibong, 37, after her treatment\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">The mother to\u00a0Savannah, left, and Arizona, middle, pictured with her partner Joshua Archibong, 37, after her treatment<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Then further tests revealed she had nodules on her lungs. Fortunately, these were found not to be cancerous.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Given the aggressive nature of the is now undergoing chemotherapy until the end of November and is confident she will then be disease free.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I look at life completely differently now. I live every day,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018I now feel like I have a purpose in life, to save people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018Even though this has been the worst time in my life, I\u2019m glad it has happened as it has made me appreciate life and has given me the knowledge and the facilities to be able to help others from suffering too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">\u2018Sometimes you have to fight to survive but life is so worth it. \u2018<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Ms Patten is encouraging women to go for regular cervical screening. \u00a0Women aged 25 to 49 are invited every three years as part of the NHS screening programme. After that, women are invited every five years until the age of 64.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">For further information or support visit Jo\u2019s Cervical Cancer Trust\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A mother-of-two who suffered bleeding between periods was devastated to be told she had cervical cancer. Gemma Patten, 30, had surgery to remove part of her cervix and vagina and chemotherapy after being diagnosed in May this year.\u00a0\u00a0 Doctors first did a vaginal swab to test for sexually transmitted infections gonorrhoea and chlamydia after going [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50641"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50641\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}