Cervical cancer can strike anyone, regardless of age. Take for example a case that is spreading like wildfire over the Internet. It is the story of 20-year-old Kristie Wilson, a young woman from the UK who starting at the age of 17 knew something was wrong with her body and needed help. FOX news recently covered the story of a young girl whose life could have been saved by performing necessary tests, which doctors were reluctant to do because of her age.
A Pap test is usually given to young women starting at the age of 21. This story is an example of knowing your own body, your limitations, gauging how you feel and standing up for what you think is right. Had Kristie not pushed the envelope and created enough buzz to receive the treatment needed her life could have been cut drastically shorter.
Kristie first saw her general practitioner (GP) because she had been experiencing severe stomach cramps. Her GP told her it as simply “growing pains” and sent her back home. Determined to find out what was wrong, and not simply taking her doctor’s explanation, Kristie listened to her body and finally 4 months later was given a Pap test where abnormal cells were discovered.
Experiencing symptoms like bleeding in between periods and experiencing agonizing pain, Kristie knew this wasn’t just thrush or growing pains.
“You know your own body and I knew there was something seriously wrong when the pain and bleeding persisted,” she said. “I wish I had been given a smear test when I first visited my doctor as it might have saved my life.”
Kristie was first diagnosed with cancer in May 2012, and has since had cervix removed and underwent aggressive treatment to try and beat her diagnosis. For nearly two years she was cancer free, until one day in April 2014 she began experiencing abnormal bloating. To those that didn’t know her, she looked about 8 months pregnant.
The biopsies confirmed that the cancer had spread to her liver and spline. When asked why the cancer had gone undetected, she was told that the cancer was so small that it didn’t show up on her smear tests. After 3 months of chemotherapy, Kristie discovered that the cancer wasn’t going away because she had become immune to treatment.
Instead of giving up and fulfilling her bucket list, she began to research other treatment options in the UK, Germany and Chicago. A trial at the University College London Hospital became available, and through the support of her family, friends and co-workers, Kristie has started a treatment that while may not be able to save her life, can help her prolong it.
She is an advocate of getting Pap tests regardless of age, and encourages women to listen to what their bodies are telling them. The new trials have given her hope, something that for a while seemed unimaginable to her.
For the full story on Kristie’s battle, click here.