Mum calls for change after cancer symptoms were falsely dismissed as an STI
Steph Washington has been left feeling angry and frustrated that, despite displaying 'classic' cervical cancer symptoms, numerous medical specialists failed to ensure that the appropriate examinations and tests were carried out to rule out a serious condition.
Instead, she was repeatedly prescribed antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis and suspected Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Ms Washington, from Brierley Hill, said she waited over 12 months for her cervical cancer diagnosis, after eight appointments at Greens Health Centre in Dudley and multiple emergency hospital visits left her in constant pain, with no clear diagnosis.
Ms Washington with her daughter, Kelsey (Image: Talbot Law / SWNS) After a year of "telling people she wasn't right", she was eventually given the "heartbreaking" news that she had stage four terminal cancer, with potentially only years to live.
The 38-year-old said: 'I'm so angry and frustrated. My life has been completely turned upside down, I can no longer look after my two younger children, and I'm still in constant pain.
'Having a smear test in April 2022, when my symptoms first started, would have confirmed my diagnosis or at least started the process that led to diagnosis.'
The mum of three has been working with Talbots Law's Clinical Negligence team and has recently been informed that Greens Health Centre has admitted medical negligence and accepted that with an appropriate level of care, Ms Washington would have received earlier treatment and potentially been cured.
Ms Washington added: 'I said to my mum that I had cancer, but the medical professionals were telling me it was all in my head.
'Then, nearly a year on from first having the symptoms, I was given the devastating news that I had stage four cervical cancer – a hammer blow in every sense of the word.'
Ms Washington said she is living in constant pain, is barely able to leave the house, and her two youngest children, aged 15 and 13, now have to live with their dad.
Rajni Kandola, Senior Solicitor at Talbots Law, said: 'Their admission of liability and apology is bittersweet for Steph.
'Whilst the admission is welcome, it's vital that improvements are made to patient safety to prevent other women from going through what she unfortunately has.'
Greens Health Centre in Dudley has accepted failings in Ms Washington's care (Image: Talbots Law) Talbots Law said they are working with the GP surgery to reach a settlement.
Ms Washington is also calling for increased smear testing for women, so that no one has to experience what she has.
She said: "I'm also keen to back DIY home cervical screening tests on the NHS, which would help increase the number of women being screened and ultimately save lives – it would also take away some of the anxiety and make smear tests a lot easier to access'.
'If I'd have been offered a smear test in April 2022, my outcome could have been a lot different.'
Greens Health Centre were contacted for comment about Ms Washington's treatment.
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