A woman in her 50s was misdiagnosed with menopause due to vaginal bleeding, only to be diagnosed with advanced womb cancer. Dawn Willis, 58, from Canterbury, Kent, initially thought the symptoms were normal for menopause but waited too long to seek medical attention.
The delay led to significant health complications, including a perforated bowel and radiation damage. However, after undergoing treatment, Dawn is now in remission and determined to spread awareness about womb cancer.
Womb cancer, also known as uterine cancer or endometrial cancer, affects around 9,800 women in the UK every year. The most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which can include bleeding between periods, heavy bleeding, or blood-stained discharge. Dawn’s experience highlights the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.
The charity Eve Appeal reports that womb cancer cases are increasing by 12% annually, with being overweight or obese being a significant risk factor. Age and menopause status also play a role in determining risk.
Dawn’s story serves as a warning to women who may be experiencing unusual bleeding after menopause. She emphasizes the importance of not ignoring symptoms and encourages everyone to visit their GP for check-ups, even if they feel fine.
“Don’t leave it!” Dawn urges. “If you notice something isn’t right, get checked out. I’m determined to spread this message and potentially save one person’s life.”
Source: https://uk.style.yahoo.com/woman-vaginal-bleeding-menopause-womb-cancer-145130085.html