An Ayrshire mum of two is backing a new drive from the Scottish Government to encourage people with possible cancer symptoms to seek help without delay.
Anita Lindsay, 47, from Troon, faced her own cancer battle after delaying a routine cervical smear test for almost a year.
Qualified nurse Anita always attended cervical screening when invited, but often took a while to make an appointment.
It was only when she encouraged her daughter to go for her first smear that she realised around a year had passed since she had been invited.
Following her test in October 2018, Anita received a devastating letter saying cell changes had been found and she would need to go for a colposcopy and biopsy in December.
She was then diagnosed with type 1b1 cervical cancer– an early stage – but further tests showed the cancer hadn’t spread.
Anita, who had just turned 43, said: “I was often late going for my smear test because I’d get in a state about the test itself, but never thought about the results not being okay.
“I eventually went in the October and got a letter through a few weeks later saying I needed to go in for a colposcopy.
“Then I got a call saying the consultant wanted to speak with me and I was to bring someone to the hospital. I knew the news wasn’t going to be good.
“Being told I had cancer was really strange.
“The hard bit was thinking about going home and telling the kids, my mum and my sister .
“I was told it was an early stage cancer, and that treatment would involve a radical hysterectomy and lymph node removal to check it hadn’t spread.”
Not long before surgery, Anita opted for a full hysterectomy, involving the removal of her ovaries, as she was keen to minimise any future risk of cancer returning.
Surgery went ahead in March 2019 and tests showed Anita’s lymph nodes were clear, meaning she was given the all clear from cancer in April.
She recalled: “I had not long qualified as a nurse and I wanted to work right up to the surgery as I just wanted to keep things as normal as possible for me and my family.
“I asked what the chances were of developing ovarian cancer, and was told two per cent. That was two per cent too much for me so I opted for a full hysterectomy which put me into surgical menopause.
“The worst bit was waiting for my surgery. Until I had my MRI I didn’t know how bad it was and was trying to keep a brave face on it for everyone, especially my kids.”
Anita was off work for around six months and struggled with the impact of her diagnosis and surgery.
She admitted: “I was really distressed by it all. I was recovering from surgery, not really coping that well mentally and had heightened anxiety.
“I had always exercised and that was the one thing that helped my mental health.
“It was tough to get back into it post-surgery, but, when I did, it really helped me get my strength back - and having the support of my team from work really helped build my confidence up.
“My family and friends were a brilliant support. My partner Kris had testicular cancer when we met nine years ago, so he completely understood and was there for me.”
Speaking about the impact of her diagnosis and treatment, Anita said: “My friend who has been through cancer said things would never be the same – there is life before cancer and after cancer - and she’s completely right.
“My outlook has changed, I don’t worry about the small stuff and I feel stronger. I’ve tried to slow down and focus on the things that are important to me and my family."
The Scottish Government’s ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign launched this week and reinforces the benefits of finding cancer at an earlier stage.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran is also backing the campaign, which is particularly aimed at those aged 40 and over.
Calum Morrison, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services, NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: “If you notice something persistent that isn’t normal for you, don’t delay making an appointment with your GP practice.”
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf, said: “Finding cancer at an earlier stage remains key.
“The ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign has been designed to highlight why an earlier diagnosis can lead to better outcomes, in terms of treatment options and quality of life after treatment, to motivate people to take action rather than put off getting possible cancer symptoms checked.”
Ross MacDuff, Joint National Clinical Lead for Earlier Cancer Diagnosis at the national Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), said: “Finding cancer in its earliest stages is really key to maximising treatment options.
"That’s why it’s so important that anyone who is experiencing persistent symptoms that are unusual for them contacts their GP practice so they can be assessed as soon as possible and referred, if appropriate, to the correct specialist.”
Anita added: “I’d encourage everyone to go for their smear test. I was around a year late booking my smear test appointment so I was so fortunate that it was found at an early stage. It could save your life.
“My sister and a few friends went for their smear tests on the back of me being diagnosed, which was great. If what happened to me can help somebody get checked, that can only be a positive thing.”
To view the campaign video go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_tJiQp2DBg
People can find out more about possible cancer symptoms at getcheckedearly.org.
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