A woman's rare diagnosis has "hit home" to dozens of other women across the region.
The ECHO previously reported how Sarah Waters was due to have a routine smear test in 2020 but it was postponed due to the pandemic. After managing to book an appointment in April this year, the 30-year-old assumed "everything was normal" and jetted off to Spain for the "best time".
But upon her return home to Prescot in June, "urgent letters" were waiting saying she needed to be referred to hospital following her results. She was soon diagnosed with a rare type of cervical cancer called Poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma that was "aggressive and fast growing".
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Having recently undergone a full hysterectomy, Sarah is now waiting to hear if she needs chemotherapy treatment.
Sarah is being cared for at home by her mum Susan who, watching her daughter go through "an incredibly tough time", has decided to take on an incredible challenge. She plans to walk 300,000 steps this month, as well as looking after Sarah.
Susan, who works at Evelyn Community Primary School, told the ECHO: "Every year I always do a Macmillan Coffee Morning and done fundraising for cancer, but this is personal because Sarah has been diagnosed.
"Everyone has already been so kind. So many people are doing the challenge also and with so many heart-breaking stories you realise you aren’t the only one going through it. As a family, you connect with so many others. Doing the challenge, it’s been an escape to clear my head. I’m caring for Sarah during the day and going out for a walk of an evening when there’s someone to watch her."
Sarah is hoping to get some "positive news" this week in regards to her cancer and further care. Susan added: "I’m so proud of her, she was enjoying life and like others was diagnosed with cancer and all of a sudden her life changed for the foreseeable until we get that peace of mind.
"It was devastating for the whole family but everyone has been amazing, even the teachers that I work in, checking on Sarah and checking on me. You don’t realise how many people are suffering from that one person with cancer but it’s just taking it one day at a time.
"It’s all we can do, it’s too much to think too far ahead. I realised with cancer, it’s waiting for the all clear and then the next one and the next. We are unsure when she can have chemotherapy yet but hopefully we will hear in the future. You don’t really get peace of mind until you know your child is going to be better."
Sarah has said she is proud of her mum, as she said: "I think she’s amazing and she’s been my rock these past few months. She’s been so strong for me and the family and I’m so proud of her."
The 30-year-old also thanked the local communities for their support and kind messages. Sarah's story has even inspired other women to book in for their smear tests, driving home the important message of not to put it off.
Anyone wishing to donate to Susan's fundraiser can do so by clicking here. Susan continued: "I’d advise anyone to share the symptoms to all the women they know. I used to refer Sarah for back massages, she had lower back pain for two years and that was one of the biggest symptoms, there are lots of people who have back problems, but this was a big symptom at the time, we didn’t know.
"Just don’t put off your smear. Sarah didn’t put hers off, the pandemic did but those two years made such a difference. In the meantime we just keep hoping for the best outcome and supporting each other as well as being supported by so many.
"You really need people during a time like this and it helps so much that people are caring and checking in on Sarah and me, and I’m not the one with the illness. It's hit home to so many others too, so many women have booked their smear tests off the back of Sarah's story and that's the important thing."
Cervical cancer
According to the NHS, cervical cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the cervix and can often be prevented by attending cervical screening. Main symptoms can include:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Changes to vaginal discharge
- Pain during sex
- Pain in your lower stomach, back or hip bones
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