Womb cancer symptoms as EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison opens up on secret cancer battle
Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison bravely opened up to OK! about her secret health battle after the actress was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer of the womb in 2015.
The 58 year old said: “It was a horrendous time. There were some dark moments, especially at night, when I thought, ‘am I going to die?’ Am I going to leave my husband without a wife, my son without a mum? But the time is right to talk about it all now. I’m hoping my story might empower other women. I’ve been through a lot but I’m still here. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Cheryl, who lives in Blackpool with her husband of 12 years, 38 year old Yassine, and Alex, her 24 year old son by her first marriage, told how her ordeal started and after she visited her her GP about pain in her back. She said: "I’d gone for a regular smear test - which had been clear - but I’d started having backache and then I began spotting blood, which wasn’t normal for me. I just knew something didn’t feel right.
Cheryl was referred for tests and a biopsy at her local hospital and four months after that smear she received the news she had Stage 2 cancer of the womb. Hearing the doctor’s words was, she says, like "an out of body experience. I was in absolute shock; stunned to the core. I couldn’t believe the doctor was talking about me".
She then underwent a number of MRI scans and chest X-rays before medics recommended she undergo a full hysterectomy within weeks.
Womb cancer is sometimes called uterine cancer by doctors. You may also hear it called endometrial cancer, which is the most common type of womb cancer.
Most people who develop womb cancer are older. It is much less common in those younger than 40. Around 9,700 women are diagnosed with womb cancer in the UK each year. This makes it the 4th most common cancer in women here. According to Cancer Research UK around 75% of women diagnosed with Stage 2 cancer of the womb will survive 5 years or more after diagnosis.
The main symptoms of womb cancer are:
bleeding or spotting from the vagina after the menopause
heavy periods from your vagina that is unusual for you
vaginal bleeding between your periods
a change to your vaginal discharge
Other symptoms can include:
a lump or swelling in your tummy or between your hip bones (pelvis)
pain in your lower back or between your hip bones (pelvis)
pain during sex
blood in your pee
It is advised you should see your doctor if you notice a change that isn't normal for you or if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer.
