Laura McAdam

Two years earlier, the result of Laura’s regular smear test had come back showing cell changes. In order to be monitored more closely, Laura attended check-up appointments every six months and when the results kept showing cell changes, she underwent a colposcopy in November 2016.

During the procedure Laura’s doctor took a biopsy and a week later, Laura was given her cervical cancer diagnosis.

Laura underwent a hysterectomy in January 2017. As the affected area was bigger than what the consultant had expected, she was scheduled in for a five-week course of precautionary chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

However, a tear in Laura’s bladder was detected shortly before the course was meant to start and her doctors decided to cancel the treatment. Following a bladder operation last year, Laura now attends scans every six months to closely monitor her recovery.

Laura, who used to volunteer with a cervical cancer charity to highlight the importance of cervical screening, said:

I was diagnosed early thanks to attending a regular smear test and I’m so grateful that my cell changes were picked up early enough – it saved my life.

I had no symptoms whatsoever before that, so I know first-hand how important it is to attend screenings, even if nothing seems wrong.

I had a bladder operation last year and I have a few niggly back pains as a result of that, but other than that I feel absolutely fine now.

All the hospital staff have been fantastic throughout all this and I can’t thank them enough for their care.

The information in this case study, including ages, are current as of the drafting date.