Welsh Woman’s Cervical Cancer Battle Highlights Systemic Failures in Women’s Healthcare
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A delayed diagnosis and a critical report reveal a concerning pattern of inaction and dismissal of women’s health concerns within the Welsh healthcare system.
A 44-year-old woman from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, has shared her harrowing experience with cervical cancer, alleging years of dismissed symptoms and a desperate plea for a scan that ultimately revealed her condition. Jessica Mason’s story comes as a new report from the Senedd health committee condemns the Welsh government’s “inaction” regarding gynaecological cancer care, exposing “critical failures” in the system.
Years of Dismissed Symptoms
Mason began experiencing pain, swelling, and vaginal bleeding as early as 2019. She repeatedly sought help from her general practitioner and hospital specialists, but says her concerns were consistently downplayed. “I knew there was something wrong,” she stated, recounting a frustrating cycle of appointments and inconclusive diagnoses. Initial assessments suggested conditions like cysts, endometriosis, and prolapse, with doctors advising pelvic floor exercises.
“It was so confusing because you trust in the doctors and you think if it was something serious they would have known,” Mason explained. A smear test conducted six months before her eventual diagnosis also yielded no indication of cancer.
A Diagnosis Secured Only Through Desperation
The turning point came in May 2022 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. After receiving the results of another ultrasound, Mason broke down in tears, feeling as though she “wasn’t being believed.” It was only then, she says, that doctors offered an MRI scan – initially framed as a means of providing “peace of mind.”
The MRI results, received in June 2022, confirmed her fears: stage 1 B3 cervical cancer, meaning the tumor was larger than 4cm but confined to the cervix. “Cancer didn’t cross my mind to be honest, I thought it would be something like an infection, I didn’t think it was going to be that serious,” Mason recalled.
The Toll of Treatment and Lingering Fears
Mason underwent five weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy beginning in August 2022. The treatment, while necessary, took a significant toll on her physical and emotional well-being, forcing her to reduce her work hours and impacting her ability to care for her 13-year-old son. The treatment also induced early menopause, ending her hopes of having another child.
Further complications arose in February 2023 when a subsequent MRI revealed the tumor had not been fully eradicated, necessitating a hysterectomy in July 2023. “I lost my faith in the doctors,” Mason admitted. “It’s horrible because obviously I’m not a medical expert and you’ve got to put your faith in them but I’m always questioning them.”
Despite the hysterectomy, Mason continues to experience occasional bleeding and requires ongoing biopsies, living with the constant anxiety of potential recurrence. “I’ve always got this worry in the back of my head, what if they miss something again and this time I don’t survive it?” she said. She is currently considering legal action and alleges the health board is delaying the release of her medical records.
Systemic Issues Exposed in New Report
Mason’s experience is not isolated. A recent report by the Senedd health committee found that women in Wales are consistently “let down by the Welsh government’s inaction” regarding gynaecological cancer care. The report highlighted a failure to implement recommendations from a December 2023 landmark study that identified “critical failures” within the system.
Specifically, the committee found that despite accepting the majority of its 2023 recommendations, the Welsh government has not allocated dedicated funding for gynaecological cancer services or established measurable NHS targets for improving patient outcomes. Waiting times are also a significant concern, with only 41% of patients beginning treatment within the 62-day target in October 2025.
Cancer charity Tenovus expressed “deep concern” over the lack of progress. The Welsh government maintains it is “committed to working with the NHS to improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment for women with gynaecological cancer,” citing investments in new equipment and treatments. However, officials acknowledge that current performance against the 62-day target is “simply not good enough.”
Mason’s case underscores a broader issue: the dismissal of women’s health concerns. “A lot of women-specific issues are just not recognised [quickly] enough. They just dismiss it as ‘your time of the month’ or ‘women’s issues’,” she stated. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change and a more responsive, equitable healthcare system for women in Wales.
A spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board stated they are “sorry to hear about Jessica’s experience while in our care and acknowledge the challenges surrounding her cancer diagnosis,” but declined to comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings.
