A Lanarkshire nurse is grieving the loss of her fertility at the age of 28 after she claims she had to fight to convince doctors something was wrong before her cervical cancer diagnosis.
Lauren McNulty is currently receiving treatment for Stage 3C cervical cancer and has demanded for a formal investigation into her care to be opened after begging medics for two years to investigate her symptoms.
The nurse, who works within the surgical department at Monklands Hospital, is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy after her tumour grew to the size of a lime, 5cm, while she waited for a diagnosis and treatment.
Lauren first had an abnormal smear test result in 2019 and was referred for cold coagulation treatment which destroyed the abnormal cells with a heated probe.
Towards the end of 2019 she began to experience heavy, irregular and abnormal bleeding as well as pelvic pain and stomach cramps outwith her menstrual cycle.
Lauren also suffered from pain and bleeding after intercourse.
She attended her local GP surgery in Cumbernauld and was referred to gynaecology for a laparoscopy to detect endometriosis or PCOS but nothing was found.
Over the following months her pain became worse and she began to suffer excruciating headaches.
In October 2020 Lauren claims she had to fight for another smear test - which then detected abnormal changes.
She alleges she suffered a 'horrendous year of fighting' with her GP into 2021 as none of her symptoms she had been continuing to suffer were resolved.
Lauren claims her GP told her she had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and then went on to treat her for recurring pelvic infections but did not investigate her symptoms further.
In January 2022 Lauren attended A&E in Glasgow twice with heavy clotted bleeding and was given medication to try and control it.
A new smear test detected high risk HPV and abnormal cell changes so the nurse was referred to hospital for a colposcopy and biopsies were taken to send to a lab for testing.
Three weeks later, Lauren was informed over the phone that she had cervical cancer.
Lauren said: "I wasn't taken seriously and I wasn't being given appointments for smear tests.
"I should have been a high priority.
"My mum was diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer which was treated years ago, and my family history is on file.
"I should not have been denied smear test appointments.
"My symptoms were mistaken as something else.
"By the time I eventually received my diagnosis I was told my tumour was the size of a lime - around 5cm.
"It has spread into my surrounding tissue and abdomen-pelvic lymph nodes.
"I feel like there was no urgency from beginning to end."
Lauren faced a 10 week wait between receiving her diagnosis and the start of her cancer treatment.
Radiotherapy treatment causes infertility as it affects the womb making those who receive treatment unable to carry a baby.
The NHS fertility team didn't contact Lauren to discuss potential egg retrieval until five weeks after her diagnosis - but Lauren feared a further five-week wait and wanted to start her cancer treatment.
Lauren continued: "As a nurse with NHS Scotland I just can't help but feel really let down by the system I have dedicated my working life to.
"I'm only 28, and not only am I having to fight for my life through a cancer diagnosis, but myself, and my partner Chris have had to grieve the loss of my fertility.
"Referrals for cervical checks, and fertility appointments should be made quicker so women have an informed choice in fertility options, time constraints and lasting effects.
"When I am cured of this horrible disease you'll see me out doing my bit to give back."
Lauren also tragically lost her friend and colleague Maria O'Neil, 28, to triple negative breast cancer this year and is honouring her memory by doing everything in her power to raise awareness of cancer.
She is urging people to be aware of their own bodies and changes, as well as to fight for a diagnosis when they believe something is wrong.
Lauren's mum Tracey has launched a fundraising page to help support her daughter while she undergoes chemotherapy and the family have been totally blown away by the response so far.
Donations to the fundraising page can be made by clicking here.
A spokeswoman for Lauren's GP surgery said: "Due to the duty of confidentiality placed on us by the General Medical Council, we decline to make any comment at the present time.
“We always take complaints seriously and would be happy to discuss matters with the patient directly if she wishes to contact the practice manager.”
And a spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde added: "We’re sorry to hear Ms McNulty has concerns about her care within NHSGGC. We would welcome a discussion with her to answer any questions she might have.
"While we can’t comment on individual cases, we can confirm that egg harvesting is possible in some women following a cervical cancer diagnosis.
"This process may take up to 4-5 weeks, during which we are unable to proceed with cancer treatment.
"This is a very big decision to make in an already stressful situation.
"If they do not wish to preserve eggs, the woman can move straight through to her oncology treatment – in which case the waiting time between diagnosis and treatment is less and will be in line with current national cervical cancer targets.
"If they wish to preserve eggs, then the additional 4-5 weeks must be factored into the overall time between diagnosis and cancer treatment."
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