‘We know our own bodies – speak up if you are worried’

A mum diagnosed with cervical cancer is urging others to speak up if they notice unusual symptoms.

Lorraine Seago, 60, discovered she had stage 3 cancer after going to her GP about vaginal bleeding, even though she had gone through menopause, which can be a symptom of advanced cervical cancer.

She had also experienced repeated urinary tract infections, which can also be a sign of cervical cancer.

Lorraine, who works as a hospital homeless health co-ordinator for East Kent Hospitals, said: “When I look back, I think that was probably the first real symptom, but I had no idea at the time.

“I had been referred for bladder and bowel tests and that was all fine, but I didn’t realise it could be cervical cancer.

“If I hadn’t been so forceful when I found the bleeding, it could have developed further before it was found. Women know their own bodies. If you have an inkling something is wrong, then always push for answers.”

Lorraine, who lives in Sellindge, near Ashford, was diagnosed in January last year and needed chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, where radioactive rods are placed near the cervix. She was finally given the all clear in October.

She said: “I’d had biopsies on polyps before, so even after I had the biopsy I wasn’t worried.

“When I was given the diagnosis it didn’t hit me like I thought it would. My wife was in a state of shock, but I was more worried about missing out on the holidays we had planned that year.

“I missed my mum’s 80th birthday party, and plans for my 60th had to be drastically changed.

“But I feel very lucky it was picked up – if I had left it, it could be a very different story.”

The mum of three, who also has three step-children and a total of 10 grandchildren, worked throughout her chemotherapy treatment, but had to take time off during radiotherapy.

She found the after effects of the treatment worse than side effects at the time.

Lorraine said: “I had no sickness at all. I did lose my hair, but not all of it.

“I had my biopsy at the QEQM, chemotherapy at William Harvey, radiation at K&C and brachytherapy at Maidstone so I experienced all our local NHS has to offer, and I couldn’t fault them at all.

“I just want to tell everyone how wonderful the NHS is. You hear a lot of negatives but every single member of staff in every hospital was absolutely amazing. They made me feel like I was the only person they were treating.”

Lorraine especially paid tribute to her oncologist Kannon Nathan, and said the experience had left her with a clearer sense of priorities.

She said: “I was very positive throughout the whole of my treatment. I had every confidence it would work, and I was not scared, just worried about how my children and wife would react.

“Dr Nathan said I would never be back to normal, but there would be a new normal, and it’s certainly true, but the cancer is gone so I am not complaining.

“It does make you realise what’s important. Our health is what really matters.”