Tue 9 February 2010
The vaccines > HPV > Real life cervical cancer stories
Julie Burgess, 42
Julie Burgess, 42 from Wandsworth, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the cervixon Christmas Eve 2007. She had experienced some post coital bleeding and went to the doctor who sent her for a colposcopy. She was referred for a radical hysterectomy which she had in the February and began courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in May.
She has two daughters; a 14 year old who will be eligible for the vaccine when it is offered to her as part of the catch up programme, and a 23 year old who has been a great support to her.
Julie is an administrator but is signed off work at the moment as she's suffering from lymphodema in her left leg, brought on by the treatment. She's very sore and tired but has six monthly MRI scans to keep an eye on her condition. A recent scan has identified a shadow in the left hand side of her pelvis and so is having a scan in October to check it out.
From what Julie has heard about the vaccine, she thinks it is a really good idea, especially as it will protect her 14 year old daughter from going through what she has had to. She thinks that all girls who are eligible should have it, as not only could it protect them against cervical cancer, but also save them from a lot of the distress that abnormal smear test results can cause.
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