Young graduate’s ’embarrassing’ heavy periods were actually a sign of a rare cancer
A YOUNG woman who suffered from very heavy periods has been diagnosed with an incredibly rare type of womb cancer.
Lydia Brain, 24, had a cycle that was so heavy that even super-absorbent sanitary towels and tampons would overflow.
It was this that alerted Lydia, prompting her to visit herGP.
After a series of tests, was diagnosed with a type of uterine cancer that is so rare, she is only the eleventh person to ever be diagnosed.
Now, in an attempt to slow the cancer's progress, Lydia has been put in an induced menopause.
Her tumours, like some prostrate and breast cancers, are fed by the hormone oestrogen and doctors hope that by cutting off its supply the 24-year-old will stand a better chance of recovering.
The University of Manchester graduate recalled: “It was definitely not healthy.
“I [once] stood there, in the passport queue at Stansted, after bleeding down to my knees on a flight, for 40 minutes.
“Covered with a long coat and the most intense fear and mortifying embarrassment, silently queueing and not making a fuss, I was too embarrassed to tell a male member of staff I needed to get through the queue immediately and go to the toilet, or better yet to a hospital.”
MOST READ IN HEALTH
Now, in a bid to destigmatise women’s cancers, she is sharing her story and has admitted she wished she’d sought medical help sooner.
She said: “Before my diagnosis, I suffered with heavy periods for what seemed like years, just putting up with them silently, not going to a doctor.
“If we lived in a beautiful, open, free world which I hope we will one day, where women are equal and their bodies are talked about, then perhaps I’d have been diagnosed sooner.
“I felt in a sense that heavy periods and abnormal bleeding were just accepted as something that happened to some women, sometimes.”
Following her initial appointment with the GP, Lydia was correctly diagnosed with anaemia – low iron content in her blood – caused by her heavy periods.
Medics believed this was caused by fibroids in her uterus and she was put on the waiting list for surgery.
However, Lydia’s menstrual problems were also symptomatic of a greater problem – an incredibly rare cancer of the uterus called inflammatory myofibroblastoma.
Tumours embedded in the wall and lining of her womb were causing her bleeding.
They were discovered after numerous hospital scans and weeks of tests on the fibroids, involving medics and scientists across the world.
Lydia is now on a monthly dose of an injection called Zoladex to stop her body producing oestrogen, inducing the menopause, which doctors hope will slow the tumours down.
But according to Lydia, the medication – which only provides a short-term solution – has unpleasant side effects.
Lydia, who studied cognitive neuroscience and psychology at university and currently works as a researcher, said: “I’ve been down, depressed and tired.
“It’s not what I expected at 24.”
WHAT IS UTERINE CANCER?
Uterine cancer, or cancer of the womb, is a common cancer that affects the female reproductive system.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of womb cancer.
If you have been through the menopause any vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal.
If you have not yet been through the menopause, unusual bleeding may include bleeding between your periods.
The vast majority of womb cancers begin in the cells that make up the lining of the womb.
In rare cases, womb cancer can start in the muscles surrounding the womb.
This type of cancer is called uterine sarcoma and may be treated in a different way from endometrial cancer.
Symptoms:
- periods that are heavier than normal
- bleeding between periods
- pain during sex
- pain in the back, pelvis or legs
- loss of appetite
- tiredness
- nausea
Treatment:
Surgery is the main treatment for womb cancer, although different methods can be used depending on your personal circumstances.
People with cancer should be cared for by a team of specialists who work together to provide the best treatment and care.
Treatment can vary depending on the stage the the cancer and may also include chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Source: NHS Choices
If a patient takes the medication for too long it can also have an adverse impact on bone density and could cause osteoarthritis.
Ultimately, doctors have advised her to undergo a partial hysterectomy – a prospect that is devastating for a woman in her early 20s.
Lydia explained that her tumour is slow growing, so her prognosis looks good, and she is hoping to put off having a hysterectomy for as long as possible.
But because the cancer is so rare, it is difficult for doctors to tell her exactly what her scenario is.
She added: “It’s a blow. I think I would like children, but I didn’t want them yet.
“But I could only have three or so years on the injections before having a hysterectomy.
“I might have to have children alone or adopt.”
Lydia could freeze her eggs, but either way, her womb looks likely to be removed.
Lydia, who lives in Manchester but is originally from Herefordshire, told how in the three years before her diagnosis, she endured very heavy periods and occasionally bled between cycles.
Now she is keen to encourage people to talk about periods.
She said: “Be bold. Let’s make sure the next generation of boys don’t wince and laugh at the word ‘period’, let’s make sure women are more familiar with the symptoms of gynae cancer, let’s make sure women are heard and end the stigma.”
Lydia is a cancer champion for the young adults charity, Trekstock and is organising meet ups in Manchester for Trekstock.
The first will take place on April 29 at 10.30am.
For more information email manchesterchampions@trekstock.com or visit
You can read more of Lydia’s story on her
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368
