Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

For Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (22nd to 28th January 2024), we have teamed up with Courtney Gibbons, one of the youngest people in the UK to have had cervical cancer. We caught up with Courtney earlier this year and asked her to share her experiences and offer her advice here on The Avenue. 
Every day in the UK, 2 women lose their lives to cervical cancer, and 9 more receive a life-changing diagnosis. With the help of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and raising awareness with stories like Courntey’s, together #WeCan work towards a day where cervical cancer is a thing of the past.

Meet Courtney Gibbons

Courtney is 25 years old, a working mother of two, who enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her children. Courtney was only 24 years old when she discovered she had cervical cancer.

Boux: “Courtney, can you please share your Cervical Cancer story with us?”

Courtney: “I hope this personal story of mine will help spread awareness to other young women out there, in the hope of preventing as many of them as possible from ever having to go through what I did. 

Last year on the 5th of September I started noticing spotting/light bleeding which I didn’t think was of any concern. I thought it was just the on-set of a period and then over the next week I noticed that I would start spotting during intercourse. I looked online and discovered it could be normal but it kept happening every single time, which did not seem right. I made an appointment at the Doctors and was advised that there was nothing for me to worry about. I went back to the Doctors multiple times, because I knew that something just didn't seem right. I wasn't in much pain but the consistent spotting just seemed so strange. It also began to worsen and every time that I picked my little boy up, coughed or went to the toilet, I would notice a spot of blood. 

I carried on fighting to see a  professional and eventually managed to take a patient's cancellation, to see a gynaecologist. After being seen at a private medical centre, I was then finally referred for a colposcopy at the Royal Preston Hospital, where the nurses were amazing and looked after me very well. I had to have some biopsies done and a LLETZ procedure for some abnormal cells. I was called a couple of weeks later and asked to come in for my results. I was given the devastating news that they had found I had CIN stage 3 which then went on to be identified as cervical cancer. 

When I received the news I was with my little boy (they had asked me to come with someone but I didn't think it was going to be anything serious, so I went alone with him) and it was a very overwhelming experience. Immediately I called my family, but I don't think any of us actually processed the news. I was referred for a PET scan to identify where exactly the cancer had spread too, or if it was just confined to the cervix. I was heartbroken to be told that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, my fallopian tubes, womb, uterus, appendix and cervix. 

I was given a date for a month's time to go and have an abdominal radical hysterectomy. Around 2 weeks after my diagnosis I received a phone call to inform me that my appointment had been brought forward. 

I went to my surgery alone. It was a very lonely time and I just wanted to get home to my children, but I was in so much pain from the surgery. After the surgery I had to learn how to walk again, eat solids, and get used to a whole new body. Due to the surgery I now have a large scar from my navel down to above the top of my vagina. Initially, I was self-conscious about the scar, but then I realised all I cared about was that I had the strength to get through the surgery and that I’m able to see my children grow up. 

This experience makes you forever grateful for the life that you have. After 7 days I left the hospital and went back to my mum's house, being greeted by my children, grandparents and mum. 

I am not deemed as cancer free, but I am in remission for the next 5 years and so far, so good. If the cancer does return then I will have to start chemo/radiotherapy.

I hope that my story is able to help other women realise the importance of smears! Unfortunately I was only 24 years old at the time so I did not qualify for a smear which is why I am so passionate about the age of cervical screening being reduced! As soon as you are sexually active you are at more of a risk.” 

Boux: “What is the best piece of advice you can give?”

Courtney: “My story is not to scare anybody, but instead it’s to try and help women be aware that no matter how old you are, if you know that something isn’t right with your body then you should act on it, and do NOT ignore it! 

You know your body better than anybody else! 

Even if my story only helps one person, that is still a difference.”

Boux: “Is there any advice you can give to those who would like to support a loved one or friend currently living with Cervical Cancer?"

Courtney: “The most reassuring thing you can do for someone dealing with cervical cancer in my opinion is to offer them support, and help them with the recovery process and childcare if children are involved. I say this because as bizarre as it sounds, when I was laying in my bed after surgery, all that I was thinking about were my children, and so having that peace of mind that they are being looked after and are happy is extremely important.”

If Courtney’s story has resonated with you, or you would like more information on Cervical Cancer check out Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust today. Together we can help raise awareness and end Cervical Cancer.