'I thought I was having smear tests but it turned out not to be the case' - Black Country mum speaks out after failed diagnosis leaves her facing Stage Four cancer battle
A young Black Country mum of three, who was repeatedly failed by the NHS and her GP surgery, is calling for improved education and more ‘smear testing’ for women.
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Stephanie Washington waited over 12 months for her cervical cancer diagnosis after eight appointments with her doctor and multiple emergency hospital visits left her in constant pain, with no clear diagnosis.
The 38-year-old is angry that despite displaying ‘classic’ cervical cancer symptoms, numerous medical specialists failed to ensure that the appropriate examinations and tests were carried out and instead repeatedly prescribed her with antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis and suspected Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
She was eventually given the heart breaking news in August 2023 that she had stage four terminal cancer and potentially only had years to live. The news was made worse by the fact her dad had also been diagnosed with cancer six months before.
The grandmother, who lived with her daughter and grand daughter in Brierley Hill now lives with her parents in Dudley who provide her with round-the-clock-care and received her consultations at The Greens Health Centre in Dudley.
