Gina's Story
Social Worker Gina Yates (40 from Dorchester) was diagnosed with stage 1b1 cervical cancer in October 2021 after a routine screening appointment. She was referred by her local hospital to The Royal Marsden for a radical hysterectomy (removal of the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, surrounding tissues, top of the vagina and pelvic lymph nodes) which took place on 6 December 2021. Gina is now waiting for results to check whether more treatment is needed. In her words…
Before my diagnosis, I was enjoying life; walking in nature, foraging, taking photos, having fun with my boyfriend and friends. I was completely symptom-free.
“Had I not attended my cervical screening appointment, I might have carried on as normal and still not know I have cancer.”
While the diagnosis was a shock, I calmly accepted the news. I’ve always considered life a journey, a rich tapestry full of tests, tough times and beautiful moments. No one wants cancer, but I made a choice to deal with it as best I could. For me, thoroughly researching treatments and options helped me to prepare mentally. I’ve been sharing some of my thoughts and experiences on Instagram, which has been cathartic. On top of this, my boyfriend, Rob, is being really supportive. He is very positive and always makes me laugh, which has made the process easier to deal with.
The radical hysterectomy has left me very sore and affected my mobility, but this will improve over the coming weeks. My main concern was how the surgery would impact my sex life. Having had both my ovaries removed, I am now in surgical menopause, one of several factors which can affect sex. Fortunately, the support I received from staff at The Royal Marsden has been excellent. For example, my surgical team minimised nerve damage and prescribed me hormone replacement therapy. I was also able to have a sentinel node biopsy, which has reduced my risk of developing lymphedema.
“I’ve always attended my smear tests, but this experience has highlighted just how important cervical screening is. Although I was asymptomatic, it’s common to experience symptoms such as bleeding or pelvic pain. Knowing your own body and what’s unusual for you is key.”