I thought I was going through menopause but it was actually cancer the symptoms I ignored

A woman who mistook womb cancer for menopause has urged others to get any new symptoms checked as soon as possible.Dawn Willis, 58, had been experiencing vaginal bleeding for about a year but thought it was a symptom of the menopause.When her stomach became swollen, however, her family convinced her to go the the doctor — and she discovered that she actually had advanced womb cancer.The former teaching assistant is now cancer-free and is speaking out in the hopes of raising awareness and hopefully “saving someone’s life.”Postmenopausal bleeding is not usually serious, but can be a sign of cancer.The main symptoms of uterine cancer can include bleeding or spotting from the vagina after menopause, heavy periods that are unusual, vaginal bleeding between periods, and a change to vaginal discharge.“I was so angry with myself when I got the diagnosis as I had ignored the symptoms,” Willis, from Canterbury, UK, said.“So much happens to your body during the menopause that I thought the bleeding was normal.But then my belly became swollen and my family told me to get checked out.“I’m really glad they did because I was diagnosed with advanced womb cancer.

If I had waited even just a couple more months, I don’t think I’d be here today.“I’m always the first one to advise people to see a doctor so I don’t know why I left it for so long.I was just so angry at myself for ignoring these signs.”After the initial shock of the diagnosis, Dawn’s full attention turned to getting better.“When they told me that it wasn’t terminal, I thought, ‘Right, I’m going to beat this.’ I love my life.

I love my husband Mark, who I have been with since we were 16,” she said.Subscribe to our weekly Post Care newsletter! Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story.

“I wasn’t ready to go anywhere.Canc...