BREAKING: A mother is speaking out after being denied a cervical smear test 14 times due to her age, only to discover she has stage two cervical cancer. Paige McCall, 23, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, experienced alarming symptoms during her pregnancies, including heavy bleeding, which she claims were dismissed by healthcare professionals.
In November 2023, McCall began experiencing severe bleeding during her second trimester while pregnant with her first child, Iris Mason, who is now 16 months old. Despite visiting Doncaster Royal Infirmary multiple times—eight visits during her first pregnancy alone—she was repeatedly told that she could not have a smear test until she turned 25, despite her family history of cervical cancer.
After giving birth in July 2024, McCall became pregnant again just six months later, but the bleeding persisted. She continued to seek medical help, returning to the hospital six times, only to face the same age-related barriers. It wasn’t until August 2023, at seven months pregnant, that a doctor recommended a biopsy after McCall insisted on further testing.
The wait for an NHS appointment was set for December, prompting McCall to pay out of pocket for private treatment costing approximately £460, where she received her devastating diagnosis on October 31, 2023. “If I had waited until I was 25, it could have been stage four,” she said, expressing her anger and disbelief at the situation.
Cervical cancer is often caused by certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), an infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact. McCall’s experience has ignited a passionate campaign for change in cervical cancer screening policies. She is advocating for the age for smear tests to be lowered to 16 or to be made available to sexually active individuals.
In her own words, McCall stated, “I think kids now are having sex really young… I believe women need to advocate for themselves.” She has launched a petition to push for these changes and created a GoFundMe page to help other young women access private care.
Following her diagnosis, McCall has begun a treatment plan costing approximately £30,000, including chemotherapy and egg freezing, as she prepares for a potential hysterectomy in the future. “I’m going to lose my hair… but I have two young kids who keep me going,” she said, highlighting the emotional toll of her battle with cancer.
The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a statement expressing sympathy for McCall and advising anyone with symptoms to consult their GP promptly. They maintain that the current screening age is based on expert advice, asserting that lowering it could be detrimental.
A spokesperson for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals also expressed regret over McCall’s experience and encouraged her to reach out to their Patient Advice and Liaison Service to address potential improvements in care.
As this story continues to develop, the urgency for change in cervical cancer screenings has never been clearer. McCall’s resilience and determination to advocate for herself and others may inspire significant shifts in healthcare policy.
For those interested in supporting McCall’s cause, donations can be made to her GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/5c100068c. Additionally, signatures for her petition can be added here: https://c.org/BxPgTbQpbN.
