A young woman has revealed how she was diagnosed with incurable cancer after her cytology test was delayed during lockdown.
Abi Macnamara, 34, from Swansea, was told she was not a priority when her test was delayed in March 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
In July, her test revealed she had stage one cervical cancer, she was told “not to worry” and was assured it had been caught early, making it “highly treatable.”
But in December 2020, Abi was devastated when doctors told her the cancer had spread and was currently at stage three.
Since then, the cancer has recurred twice and doctors have told Abi that it is now incurable.
After being diagnosed with stage 1b cervical cancer, Abi Macnamara, 34, (pictured) underwent surgery to remove her cervix and cancerous lymph nodes.
Abi, from Swansea, South Wales, is receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy but has been told her cancer is incurable.
Abi pictured with her partner Nick in happier times. Abi has always been active and participated in half marathons before being diagnosed.
Abi, who is receiving palliative chemotherapy and immunotherapy, said: “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be where I am now if I’d had the smear test when I should have.”
‘I find it difficult to accept where we are and who is responsible for it. I don’t understand why cancer screening and treatment were stopped.’
Abi received a letter asking her to schedule a smear test in 2020.
However, the trial was delayed when the UK went into lockdown on March 26 and non-urgent care was postponed to free up staff and beds for the expected influx of seriously ill Covid-19 patients.
After Abi’s test in July revealed stage 1b cervical cancer, she underwent a radical trachelectomy in November, which had also been delayed due to Covid, to remove the cervix and cancerous lymph nodes.
Abi said: “It was a complete shock because I was really fit and healthy… I had completed half marathons, I had stayed fit.”
‘I just put all my faith in the hospital. They told me to keep calling every week to get an appointment.
While the surgeon told her the operation produced clean margins, suggesting all the cancer had been removed, Abi’s world was turned upside down during Christmas week when she discovered the cancer had spread.
Abi received more bad news when the cancer returned in January 2023, causing acute kidney failure.
Abi said her diagnosis came as a shock because she was fit and healthy.
Abi underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but received more bad news in January 2023 when the cancer returned and caused acute kidney failure.
He had a urostomy bag placed for several months and received more rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
At the end of August, a scan showed no evidence of illness, but around Christmas time he began to feel unwell again.
Abi was treated with antibiotics, but knew something wasn’t right, prompting her to push for her next scan to be brought forward.
The scan showed that the cancer had returned once again, this time in the pelvic cavity.
Despite the delays in her treatment, Abi has not received any apology from the hospital.
She said: ‘What bothers me is that everything was shut down because of Covid, but now everyone is living their normal life and I have cancer. It shouldn’t have happened.
“They never asked for forgiveness. All the nurses have been fantastic but the way the consultants talk to you makes you feel like they have no time for you.
Abi refuses to be told her prognosis and is determined to stay as positive as possible for as long as possible.
His positive mindset is reinforced by his belief that some of life’s greatest challenges can become the greatest teachers.
‘When they say it to you too, it’s a huge thing for you.
‘I understand they deal with this every day, but they treat you like you’re on a conveyor belt. There is simply a lack of humanity in all of this.
“I think there’s been a huge increase in cancer patients and they can’t keep up with the demand.”
Abi refuses to be told her prognosis and, although she has already restarted chemotherapy treatment, she hopes to explore other alternatives abroad.
You have continued to maintain a healthy lifestyle to give yourself the best chance of responding well to treatment.
She said: ‘I don’t want it, I don’t want to become that. I want to be as positive as possible for as long as possible.
“I’m not going to bury my head in the sand, it’s a very serious situation I’m facing.
‘But your greatest challenges in life can be your greatest teacher. If I could go back in time I would do things 100% different, but I can’t, I just have to move on.’
While Abi has restarted chemotherapy, she is also interested in exploring alternative treatments abroad.
Regarding the delay in surgery Abi experienced, a Swansea Bay University Health Board spokesperson said: “We are very sorry for Ms Macnamara’s concerns.
‘While the health board strives to provide the highest standard of care, the pandemic has posed significant and well-documented challenges to NHS services across the UK.
‘We have not received a formal complaint from Ms Macnamara, so we have not had the opportunity to carry out a thorough review.
“However, we would appreciate a direct conversation so we can discuss your concerns with her in detail.”