A 34-year-old woman, Abi Macnamara of Swansea, shares her journey of being diagnosed with incurable cancer after her smear test was postponed during lockdown. In March 2020, amidst Covid restrictions, she was informed she wasn’t a priority for the test delay. Despite her concerns, it wasn’t until July that she received her results, indicating stage one cervical cancer. Initially reassured that it was highly treatable since caught early, her hopes were shattered when later informed of its incurable nature.
However, Abi faced devastating news in December 2020 when doctors informed her that the cancer had advanced to stage three. Despite treatments, the cancer recurred twice, leading doctors to declare it incurable.
Following her diagnosis of stage 1b cervical cancer, 34-year-old Abi Macnamara (pictured) underwent surgery to eliminate her cervix along with cancerous lymph nodes.
Abi, hailing from Swansea, South Wales, is currently undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments. Despite her efforts, she has been informed that her cancer is incurable.
In happier times, Abi is seen with her partner Nick. Known for her active lifestyle, Abi used to participate in half marathons before her diagnosis.
Undergoing palliative chemotherapy and immunotherapy, Abi expressed her frustration, stating, “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be where I am now if I’d had my smear test when I should have.” She grapples with the accountability surrounding the delay in her screening and treatment, questioning why cancer screenings were halted.
In 2020, Abi received a letter prompting her to book a smear test. However, when the UK entered lockdown on March 26, non-urgent medical care, including her test, was postponed to allocate resources for Covid-19 patients. Despite the delay, Abi’s July test revealed stage 1b cervical cancer. Her subsequent radical trachelectomy in November, delayed due to Covid, aimed to remove the cancerous tissue.
Abi recounted her shock at the diagnosis, given her active lifestyle. Despite being assured by her surgeon that the operation successfully removed the cancer, her world shattered when she discovered the cancer had spread during Christmas week.
Abi’s already grim situation worsened in January 2023 with the recurrence of cancer, which subsequently resulted in acute kidney failure.
Abi expressed her shock at the diagnosis, considering she was previously fit and healthy. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy, her situation took a turn for the worse in January 2023 when the cancer resurfaced, leading to acute kidney failure. Subsequently, she had to use a urostomy bag for several months and endure further rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Although a scan in late August showed no evidence of disease, Abi’s health deteriorated around Christmas. Despite being treated with antibiotics, she sensed something was amiss, prompting her to advocate for an earlier scan. Unfortunately, the scan revealed a recurrence of cancer, this time in her pelvic cavity.
Despite experiencing delays in her treatment, Abi has not received an apology from the hospital. She expressed frustration over the prioritization of Covid-related matters over her cancer treatment, emphasizing the lack of acknowledgment or apology from the medical consultants. She praised the nurses for their support but criticized the consultants’ demeanor, feeling as though they lacked time and empathy for her situation.
Abi is steadfast in her refusal to be informed about her prognosis, opting instead to maintain a positive outlook for as long as possible.
“When they disclose your prognosis to you, it’s an enormous moment.
“I understand that they confront this daily, but it feels like being processed on a conveyor belt. There’s a noticeable lack of empathy in the whole process.
“I believe there’s been a significant influx of cancer patients, and the system is struggling to keep up with the demand.”
Abi remains steadfast in her decision to not be informed about her prognosis. Although she has resumed chemotherapy treatment, she is considering exploring alternative options abroad.
Despite her challenges, Abi continues to prioritize a healthy lifestyle to maximize her response to treatment.
She remarked, “I refuse to succumb to it. I want to maintain as much positivity as possible for as long as possible.
“I’m not ignoring the seriousness of my situation; it’s incredibly grave. However, I see my biggest trials in life as profound lessons. If I could turn back time, I would undoubtedly make different choices, but I can’t. I simply have to move forward.”
Abi has resumed chemotherapy treatment but is also eager to investigate alternative therapies abroad.
In response to the surgery delay Abi encountered, a spokesperson for Swansea Bay University Health Board expressed regret, stating: “We are deeply saddened to learn of Ms. Macnamara’s concerns. While our health board endeavors to deliver the utmost standard of care, the pandemic presented substantial and widely acknowledged challenges to NHS services throughout the UK. We have not received a formal complaint from Ms. Macnamara, thus have not had the chance to conduct a comprehensive review. Nonetheless, we would appreciate a direct dialogue to address her concerns in depth.”
