Hollie Pardue, a 31-year-old mother of three from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, experienced persistent bleeding after the birth of her third child in January 2024. Initially dismissing it as postpartum bleeding, she consulted her GP twice over the following months. Despite being prescribed two different types of contraceptive pills, the bleeding continued unabated. An internal ultrasound in May 2024 revealed no abnormalities, leading her doctor to attribute her symptoms to stress and hormones, advising her to prioritize rest and exercise. Dissatisfied with this explanation, Hollie, driven by a strong intuition that something was amiss, insisted on another smear test, even though a previous one in 2023 had given her the all-clear.
Hollie’s persistence proved crucial. Less than two weeks after requesting the smear, she was called in for a colposcopy and biopsy in June 2024. The results confirmed her worst fears: she had cervical cancer. While the diagnosis was devastating, the early detection meant the cancer was treatable. Hollie’s experience underscores the importance of trusting one’s instincts and advocating for oneself, especially when medical professionals offer explanations that don’t align with personal experiences. She emphasizes the need for individuals to actively participate in their healthcare journey and question medical advice when it doesn’t feel right.
Initially, doctors believed Hollie’s cancer was stage 1B, confined to the cervix. However, further scans revealed a more advanced stage 3C1, with the cancer spreading to lymph nodes in her pelvis and hips. This significantly altered her prognosis and required a more aggressive treatment plan. The news was a crushing blow to Hollie, who described feeling as though she had been given a death sentence. The fear of losing her hair and the uncertainty of her future overwhelmed her. She vividly recalls the moment she broke down in tears in the car with her partner after receiving the news, convinced she was going to die.
Despite the emotional turmoil, Hollie bravely faced the challenging treatment regimen, which began in August 2024. It included a six-week course of chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy and brachytherapy, a form of internal radiation therapy. The intense treatment took a toll on her physically and emotionally, yet she remained resolute. Hollie completed her treatment on October 31, 2024, and is currently awaiting the results, expected in March 2025. While she feels mentally strong, the physical side effects of the treatment, including hip and pelvic pain and early menopause, have been significant.
Hollie’s journey highlights the importance of early detection and the potentially devastating consequences of dismissing symptoms. Her initial smear test in 2023 had revealed HPV and abnormal cells, leading to a LLETZ procedure to remove precancerous cells. A subsequent smear test in March 2023 gave her the all-clear, allowing her to proceed with her pregnancy. However, the later development of cervical cancer demonstrates that even with regular screenings and procedures, vigilance and self-advocacy remain vital. The complexities of pregnancy and postpartum changes can sometimes mask underlying health concerns, making it crucial for women to remain attentive to their bodies and seek medical attention for persistent or unusual symptoms.
Hollie’s story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular cervical screenings and HPV vaccinations. Cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women in their early 30s, with approximately 3,200 new cases and 850 deaths annually in the UK. While the five-year survival rate is around 70%, early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Cervical screening programmes and HPV vaccines have dramatically reduced cervical cancer rates and save thousands of lives each year. Recognizing the symptoms of cervical cancer, such as unusual bleeding, pain during sex, unusual vaginal discharge, and persistent pain in the lower back or pelvis, is also crucial. By sharing her experience, Hollie hopes to encourage other women to trust their intuition, advocate for their health, and seek medical attention for any concerning symptoms.
