Baby girl ‘saved mum’s life’ after midwives spot cervical cancer when she gives birth
Carla Woods only found out that she had the disease after midwives found a lump during childbirth
A MUM has thanked her "miracle" baby for saving her life, after she was diagnosed with cancer having just given birth.
Carla Woods, 29, was diagnosed with cervical cancer after midwives spotted a lump on her vaginal wall during childbirth.
The mum-of-two, from Caerphilly, Wales, had no other symptoms of the disease until she gave birth to her youngest daughter, Freya - now 14-months-old.
She credits Freya with saving her life.
Carla's cancer had spread to two lymph nodes in her groin, and she needed to have intense chemo, radiotherapy and brachytherapy in order to get the disease under control.
"I had no idea there was anything wrong until the midwives told me there was a mass on my vaginal wall," Carla said.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
There are no obvious symptoms during the early stages of cervical cancer.
However, vaginal bleeding can often be a tell-tale sign - especially if it occurs after sex, in between periods or after the menopause.
That said, abnormal bleeding is not a definite sign of the condition - just a possible indicator.
Nevertheless, it should be investigated by your GP as soon as possible.
They can refer you to a specialist within two weeks if they have further concerns.
Other warning signs include:
- pain and discomfort during sex
- unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
And if it spreads to other organs, the signs can include:
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
- severe pain in your side or back caused by your kidneys
- constipation
- peeing or pooing more than usual
- losing control of your bladder or bowels
- blood in your pee
- swelling in one or both legs
- severe vaginal bleeding
"I call Freya our little miracle baby as without her I wouldn't have been diagnosed with cancer until it had spread further."
She said that she'd never missed a smear before falling pregnant with Freya.
Carla had one six months after the birth of her eldest daughter, now four, but was due her next one when she was pregnant again - which stopped her from having it.
She said: "At first the midwife thought it was a fibroid when she spotted the mass and they told me to book a doctor’s appointment for further tests.
"I was so busy being a new mum to Freya that it took me a few weeks before I finally visited my doctor and was referred.
"It was such a shock for me and my husband, Andrew, 31, when I was finally diagnosed in June 2018, we had no idea it would be something as serious as cancer.
"The tumour was already the size of a satsuma and I needed chemotherapy and radiotherapy to get rid of it."
Although it wasn't how she imagined spending her maternity leave, Carla says that she was grateful to have caught the cancer early enough that it was treatable.
Mercifully, Carla was given the all-clear in January.
She's now sharing her story in a bid to highlight just how crucially important having smear tests is.
Despite always having had clear results prior to her diagnosis, the healthcare advisor is urging other women not to put the potentially lifesaving treatment on hold.
Get social!
You can help us spread the message by joining in on social.
We're asking women to share a photo with a pair of knickers and the hashtag #CheersForSmears tagging the women they love in their life, to remind them to get tested on time.
Cervical screenings save 5,000 lives every year - but let's make that number higher!
Please make sure to also tag @fabulousmag and the charity Jo's Trust (Twitter: @jotrust, Insta/FB: @joscervicalcancertrust)
She added: "I didn't have any of the usual symptoms that are typical of cervical cancer for example, bleeding or back or pelvic pain.
"So if I'd not have been giving birth the tumour would have continued to grow which is why I'm so thankful to Freya.
"After being given the all clear at the start of this year as there was no evidence of cancer we are now trying to move on.
"People think they're invincible but it can happen to anyone which is why smear tests are so important.
“Smear tests help detect cancer even when there’s no symptoms at all."
Carla's story comes as the first TV ad urging women to have smears was aired yesterday.
The new Government initiative follows The Sun’s hard-hitting #CheersForSmears campaign earlier this year.
How we can make a difference
In many surgeries, smear tests are only available at certain times or days, making it difficult for some women to book an appointment.
That’s why #CheersForSmears is calling on GPs to offer more flexible screening times and make testing available outside of office hours and at weekends.
We also want employers to play their part in helping to ensure that their female employees can attend potentially life-saving cervical screenings if they are unable to get an appointment outside of working hours.
Help get your employer involved by emailing [email protected].
Around three in ten women ignored their latest invitation.
The campaign will encourage women to attend, and visit their GP if they missed their last check.
Two women die every day from cervical cancer, with embarrassment putting five million owmen off having the potentially life-saving tests.
MORE ON CERVICAL CANCER
“I have been left infertile by the cancer treatment as it has caused my body to be in early menopause but I'm so happy to now be cancer free," said Carla.
"I can't thank the staff at the Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, for all their support during and after treatment as well as my friends and family.
“I’m now sharing my story as a warning to other women and raise awareness for cervical cancer."
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