Dudley mum calls for increased smear testing after failed diagnosis leaves her facing Stage Four cancer battle

Steph Washington waited over 12 months for her cervical cancer diagnosis after eight appointments with her doctor and multiple emergency hospital visits left her in constant pain, with no clear diagnosis.

The 38-year-old is angry 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 and instead, repeatedly prescribed her with antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis and suspected Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

After 12 months of ‘telling people she wasn’t right’, she was eventually given the heartbreaking news that she had stage four terminal cancer and potentially only had years to live.

Steph, who has been working with Talbots Law’s Clinical Negligence team, has recently been informed by the NHS that they admit medical negligence and accept that with an appropriate level of care, Steph would have received earlier treatment and potentially been cured.

“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,” explained Steph, who is currently receiving around the clock care from her parents in Brierley Hill.

“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. Instead, I kept being told I had vaginal infections - all the treatments unsurprisingly failed to work, the pain was getting worse, and I was constantly going back and forth to my GP and, later on, emergency visits to the hospital.”

She went on to add: “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.”

Despite completing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Steph’s condition has worsened, and she is now reliant on her parents to help her complete everyday tasks.

She remains in constant pain, barely leaves the house apart from medical appointments and has lost 10 stone in weight. Two of her three younger children also now have to live with their father.

This week, the determined mum is set to have complicated exenteration surgery that, if successful, could potentially increase her life expectancy.

Rajni Kandola, Senior Solicitor at Talbots Law, said: “It has been a privilege to support Steph throughout her journey and I’m in awe of the strength and resilience she has shown whilst dealing with such a life-changing diagnosis.

“Despite the turmoil she has been put through, she joins us in remaining committed to ensuring that lessons are learnt. We are now working with the NHS to reach a settlement, which will ensure Steph receives the specialist care and support she needs to continue to navigate life with a life-limiting disease.

“The NHS’ 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.”

Steph concluded: “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.”