Women’s voices
Below, you’ll find powerful personal stories from individuals who have faced gynaecological cancer. We are also sharing accounts that reveal how symptoms and concerns related to gynaecological conditions or pain have often been dismissed, highlighting the broader neglect of health needs for women and people with female anatomy.
These accounts are presented in the contributors’ own words, reflecting their individual experiences and perspectives.
Claire
In July 2021 I began suffering with symptoms of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that has a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate.
Linda Drew
Linda Drew, from the Vale of Glamorgan, didn’t know about ovarian cancer until she was diagnosed and believes lack of awareness is a problem preventing people for receiving timely treatment.
Judith Rowlands
Judith Rowlands, from Anglesey, contacted her GP when she started bleeding after the menopause. She was prescribed HRT but when the bleeding continued, she knew something was wrong, as her mother had also been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Judith was eventually diagnosed with endometrial cancer and underwent a hysterectomy.
Clare Hollinshead
Clare Hollinshead felt her concerns were dismissed and downplayed due to her gender and age when she presented with symptoms in her thirties.
Jessica Mason
Jessica Mason was given a range of misdiagnoses including infections, prolapse, and suspected endometriosis, only for a 4.5cm tumour to eventually be found growing in her cervix and womb.
Patsy Hudson
After years of raising concerns and chasing answers, Patsy Hudson, underwent a full hysterectomy when a borderline ovarian tumour was found.
Ceri Davis
Ceri Davis, 53-year-old mother of two, has a terminal cervical cancer diagnosis after being told there was “nothing to be concerned about”.
Rachael Tyler
Jess Moultrie says her mum Rachael Tyler’s life has changed drastically after years without support, being listened to, or taken seriously.
Ffion Rogers
Ffion Rogers had a 5cm cyst on her ovary removed in February 2023 and was told it was a dumaroid cyst and “nothing to worry about” as she had no family history and was too young for ovarian cancer.
Amy (not her real name)
Amy*, 30, from Aberdare was ignored and dismissed for years from 2018 until 2024 after developing concerning symptoms. When she finally had an operation, it was confirmed she had stage 2 ovarian cancer.
Joe Todd
Joe, 64, from Swansea experienced chronic backache and spotting years after menopause. When she visited her GP, they were dismissive and declined to investigate further.
Carly
Carly, 34, shares her experience of living with undiagnosed gynaecological conditions and feeling dismissed by healthcare professionals - an issue that reflects the wider neglect of women’s health needs.
Susan
Stephen’s 42-year-old wife, Susan, died after delays and poor gynaecology care provided at Cardiff and Vale Health Board.
Emily Bristow and Jennifer Smith
Emily’s mum, Jennifer, died from aggressive ovarian cancer in March 2021, having been diagnosed in August 2020 at the height of Covid.
Maisie (not her real name)
Maisie*, 40, from Llanelli, is experiencing ongoing gynaecological issues. She feels she is not being taken seriously and has been dismissed for being “too young”.
Stories from England
Donna Hayward
Kayleigh Lenney's 57-year-old mum, Donna Hayward, had a uterine Leiomyosarcoma misdiagnosed in August 2022.
Denise Rossell-Jones
Denise Rossell-Jones, from Surrey, experienced vaginal bleeding aged 71.
Pauline Hughes
Pauline from the Midlands feels failed by doctors and believes cancer should be tested for in the first instance to give the best possible outcome.
Julie Ashbrook
Following 10 months without a period, Julie Ashbrook, 55, from Cheshire, experienced a one-off episode of abnormal bleeding in February 2024. Concerned, she went to her GP in early March and was fast-tracked to a gynaecologist under the two-week cancer referral pathway.
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