Cancer survivor warns other women to be alert to unusual symptoms

A cancer survivor who initially thought her stomach pains were caused by drinking too much fizzy water is urging women not to miss their smear test.

Carla Bradbury, of Staythorpe, spoke out to coincide with Sunday’s World Cancer Day, describing how she was treated for cervical cancer and has since been given the five-year all-clear.

Carla, 46, a professional dog walker, was treated through Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and praised consultant oncologist Dr Anji Anand for saving her life.

Carla urged women not to ignore unusual symptoms after initially thinking her stomach pains were due to drinking too much fizzy water. It was after the pains got progressively worse that, in the summer of 2012, she was told she had cancer.

“I didn’t go to my doctors straight away, as it just started off as stomach pains which at first I put down to the new Sodastream I had been given for my birthday,” Carla said.

“I also started experiencing some spotting between periods, which I put down to hormones and I naively thought it was to do with being at that time of life.

“But, after seeing my GP, I was referred to my local hospital in Newark for further investigations and I eventually found out it was cancer.”

An MRI scan confirmed that Carla had advanced cancer, which had spread from the cervix through to the tissues at the side of the pelvic area.

She said: “I had a tumour the size of a large plum on my cervix and because of the way it was attached to my pelvic wall it was inoperable.

“I remember reading the report, which said there was a 50% chance of long-term control — meaning I was given a 50% chance of survival.

“I had not kept up with my smear tests, which I regret massively now.

“The nurse gave me a box of tissues after delivering the news, but I didn’t cry — I just wanted to know what we were going to do to get rid of it.”

Carla was referred to the specialist oncology and radiotherapy service at Nottingham University Hospitals.

'She really saved my life'

She had intensive rounds of weekly chemotherapy, daily radiotherapy and internal brachytherapy — a type of radiotherapy delivered at Nottingham City Hospital in order to shrink the tumour on her cervix.

The treatment worked and Carla was given the all-clear almost a year after her cancer discovery.

Carla said: “The care at City Hospital was great. Dr Anand was supportive throughout my time in and out of treatment and appointments. She really saved my life.

“I remember her coming into the room — her face lit up — to tell me the treatment had worked. It was such a relief.”

In September last year Carla took part in the Stand Up To Cancer canoe challenge.

She was part of a team of cancer survivors and celebrities, including Judge Rinder and Emmerdale actress Natalie Anderson, who tackled 120 miles in five days on the water to raise money.

They started in Chester and travelled through the canals and locks of Warrington and Manchester, before finishing at Liverpool Albert Docks.

The team raised more than £210,000 towards vital clinical research.

Carla said: “The opportunity to take part in this challenge came to me at the right point in my life.

“The day I heard about the challenge was the same day my friend, who had been going through treatment with me, died from cancer.

“It was also just before my final five-year appointment so it was poignant and felt like my calling to be involved.”

Dr Anji Anand, consultant oncologist at Nottingham University Hospitals, looked after Carla when she was in hospital.

“Carla is a remarkable young woman and her partner, Debs, has been so supportive though out her treatment,” Dr Anand said.

“I am extremely proud of how she managed to turn this setback in her life into something so positive and raise such a massive amount for Stand Up To Cancer, and also raise awareness of cervical cancer by talking about her experience.”

Importance of smear test

Each year in the UK, 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, yet more than one in four avoid having a smear test, which detects changes in the cervix and precancerous cells.

Cancer and precancerous conditions caught early have a high chance of cure.

As part of the NHS cervical screening programme, all women aged 25 to 64 are invited by letter from their GP’s surgery for a smear test every three years.

Symptoms of cervical cancer can include bleeding after intercourse, irregular periods, vaginal discharge and pelvic pain.