"Go for your smear test when you're invited" - Somerset mum joins calls this Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
At 39 years old, Nyssa Edwards had no symptoms of cancer, but a smear test at Bath's RUH said something different
A mum of three from Somerset is joining calls for people to attend their smear test screenings when they get the call during this Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
Nyssa Edwards, who is now 40 and from Pilton, had a smear test at the age of 39 which found something out-of-the-ordinary, despite her having no symptoms at all.
“The test saved my life, it’s a simple as that,” she said. “I was 39 at the time, hadn’t had any symptoms and had no reason to expect that the screening would pick up anything, but it found I had abnormal cells.
“The cells were removed and further tests showed it was cancer.”
Nyssa underwent a radical hysterectomy after which it was found the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and womb.
She then began a programme of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the RUH which was followed later by brachytherapy treatment – a type of internal radiation therapy - at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre.
In September last year, Nyssa’s oncologist gave her the fantastic news that the treatment had gone well and that the cancer had gone.
“It was incredible to hear that news – I was just completely stunned,” she said. “Throughout all the treatment you’re just hoping that it will work and that you get to hear that news at the end of it all.
“The treatment I received at the RUH was fantastic, particularly from the Radiotherapy team, which was so supportive and helpful all the way through.
“I’m just so relieved that I made sure I attended my smear test. If I hadn’t, the cancer could have spread even further and it could have been a very different outcome for me.
“My message to women would be to please make sure you go for your test when you are invited. It really could save your life - without a doubt it saved mine.”
In the middle of her treatment, Nyssa even found the time to get married to her long-term partner, Tom.
“We’d had to postpone our original wedding date because of my hysterectomy and I was determined we wouldn’t postpone it again. I actually had a radiotherapy session on the morning of my wedding!”
Nyssa will continue to have surveillance check-ups for the next three years and is also being supported by the RUH’s cancer rehab team.
“I’d be lying if I said I don’t worry the cancer will come back,” said Nyssa. “But the local Macmillan Cancer Support group has been a great help and very supportive and the RUH team will be helping me with my ongoing physical and mental recovery.
“It’s been a long, tough journey but I’m staying positive and looking forward to the future.”
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week takes place from 23 – 29 January. You can find more information about the week and cervical cancer here.
You can find more information about smear tests on the NHS website.