Mom, 45, Suffering From ‘Intense Pain’ Says She Was Misdiagnosed With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and to Do ‘Pelvic Floor Exercises’ Until She Was Correctly Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer

“Finding out I had cancer was devastating, but what was harder to understand was that I’d been attending medical appointments for years and had received a clear smear test six months earlier,” she told BBC News.

Her search for answers stretched across three years.

“For years I was back and forth to GP appointments or hospital complaining of bleeding and pain,” she told Wales Online. “While I knew my body and felt something was wrong, I felt like I had no choice but to put my faith in the doctors.”

Instead, she says she was repeatedly misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome as endometriosis and told to do simple pelvic floor exercises to resolve her problems.

Gynecologic oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Bobbie Rimel, explains that “endometriosis is the term for whenever those endometrial cells, those lining of the uterus cells, are outside of their normal place,” noting that it is a benign — though often painful — condition.

Although endometriosis isn’t curable, its symptoms can be managed for a better quality of life. According to the National Institutes of Health, hormone therapy can be an effective treatment option to manage pain.

“Hormone treatments stop the ovaries from producing hormones, including estrogen, and usually prevent ovulation,” the NIH explains. By cutting off estrogen, the activity of the endometrium and endometrial lesions slows down.

Surgery is an option for severe cases where pain is intolerable.

WATCH: How to spot the signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.

RELATED: Endometriosis Vs. Endometrial Cancer — What’s the Difference?

When Mason finally received the MRI she had long requested, doctors discovered a 6.5‑centimeter tumor. “Finding out I had cancer was devastating,” she said again, “but what was harder to understand was that I’d been attending medical appointments for years and had received a clear smear test six months earlier.”

Cervical cancer can develop quietly, with symptoms like bleeding or pelvic pain that overlap with other conditions. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, and Mason ultimately reached remission. Still, she says the aftermath is lasting.

“I still live with the mental and physical scars. I’ve got aches and pains, and sometimes I can’t walk properly,” she said. “While I’m cancer‑free, it feels like the impact of cervical cancer on me won’t go away.”

Her experience underscores the importance of self‑advocacy — a point echoed by National Cancer Institute chief of surgery Dr. Steven Rosenberg.

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care,” Dr. Rosenberg told SurvivorNet.

“Finding a doctor who is up on the latest information is important, and it’s always important to get other opinions so that you can make the best decisions for yourself in consultation with your care providers.”

Navigating a Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

Cervical cancer forms in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb), which connects the uterus to the vagina, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

“Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue,” the NCI explains.

“Over time, if not destroyed or removed, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and surrounding areas.”

While symptoms tend to be difficult to detect during cervical cancer’s early stages, some signs can still indicate something is amiss and needs a closer look.

The NCI explains that symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include:

• vaginal bleeding after sex
• vaginal bleeding after menopause
• vaginal bleeding between periods or periods that are heavier or longer than normal
• vaginal discharge that is watery and has a strong odor or that contains blood
• pelvic pain or pain during sex

Tools to Help Cervical Cancer Prevention

As noted, a pap smear is an option to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.

The added value of pap smears is that symptoms of cervical cancer might show up until the disease is at stage 3 or 4, making it more challenging to treat. This critical procedure helps doctors catch signs of the disease early. Furthermore, pap smears can lead to broader and more effective treatment options.

One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is “a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex,” the National Cancer Institute says. HPV infection is linked to multiple cancers, and the majority of sexually active people will get the disease at some point in their lives.

A study presented during last year’s American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2023 annual meeting found that public awareness of the link between HPV and cervical cancer was on the decline.

“The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to be more cancer-inducing,” Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, told SurvivorNet.

“Probably less than 1% of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years [it] develops from a viral infection into a tumor, and cancer,” Dr. Ho added.

Protecting Against HPV

The HPV vaccine is recommended to protect against HPV and, therefore, HPV-related cancers.

Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine that offers protection against “nine HPV types: the two low-risk HPV types that cause most genital warts, plus seven high-risk HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancer,” according to the National Cancer Institute.

The vaccine creates an immune response to HPV 16, the primary cause of 92% of head and neck cancers. Once children are vaccinated, they cannot be infected with that strain. For parents, the HPV vaccine enables them to protect their children from developing cancer in the future.

“The key with the vaccine is that you receive it before you have sexual encounters,” says Dr. Geiger. “So that’s why these vaccines are approved for young children … ages 9, 10, 11 years old, up to age 26.”

The HPV vaccine is recommended for all male and female preteens 11 to 12 years old in two doses given between six and 12 months, according to the CDC.

The series of shots can also start as young as nine.

The CDC also notes that teens and young adults through age 26 who didn’t start or finish the HPV vaccine series also need the vaccine.

Additionally, people with weakened immune systems or teens and young adults between 15 and 26 who started the series should get three doses instead of two.

Although adults up to 45 can still receive the vaccine, it’s not recommended for everyone older than 26. Still, a person older than 26 could choose to get vaccinated after talking to their doctor about possible benefits, even though it is less effective in this age range, as more people have already been exposed to HPV by this point.

WATCH: Should children get the HPV Vaccine?

Vaccine hesitancy can impede people from getting the vaccine. The concern may come from parents who may feel the vaccine paves the way for early sexual activity. For this reason, some health practitioners educate the public differently about the vaccine.

“I think rebranding the vaccine as a cancer vaccine, rather than an STD vaccine, is critically important,” says Dr. Ted Teknos, a head and neck cancer surgeon and scientific director of University Hospital’s Seidman Cancer Center.

Dr. Teknos believes concerted efforts to “change the mindset around the vaccine” can make a difference.

Why Self-Advocacy in Healthcare Can Be Life-Saving

When patients actively advocate for their health, it can lead to earlier diagnoses, broader treatment options, and ultimately better outcomes—especially when initial symptoms are overlooked or dismissed.

Part of this advocacy means not settling for a single medical opinion. Persistence matters: revisiting your doctor, pushing for answers, and seeking additional perspectives from other healthcare providers can be crucial steps in the journey.

WATCH: The value of getting a second opinion

Getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, some surgeons own radiation treatment centers. “So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon who is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet.

Other reasons to get a second opinion include:

• To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of cancer
• You have a rare type of cancer
• There are several ways to treat your cancer
• You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you sound advice
• You have trouble understanding your doctor
• You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
• Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion
• Your cancer isn’t improving on your current treatment

WATCH: The Importance Of Getting A Second Opinion: Tara Lessard Shares Her Cancer Story.

Tara Lessard is another woman who refused to follow the lead of just one medical opinion. After her 2015 stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis, she underwent 21 rounds of chemotherapy and battled severe side effects, including neuropathy that left her temporarily wheelchair-bound.

Unwilling to settle for standardized treatment, Lessard sought multiple opinions—ultimately choosing a cancer center that offered tailored care, including a spleen removal, alternative chemo, and a PARP inhibitor that kept her cancer-free for a year. Despite recurrence in 2018, Tara’s key message was clear: your opinion does matter when it comes to your own cancer treatment. So, get a second opinion if you want one.

Some health insurance companies will cover the cost of a second opinion. Still, it’s a good idea to find out if yours does before you visit a new doctor, as some insurance companies have stipulations on the extent of coverage they will provide.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to stop at a second opinion. Provided that you have the time and financial resources, you may want to consider getting a third or a fourth opinion. Just don’t get so many opinions that your treatment options overwhelm you.

With each new doctor you visit, bring a copy of your:

• Pathology report from your biopsy or surgery
• Surgical report
• Imaging tests
• The treatment plan that your current doctor recommended

Helping You Cope With an Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis

If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.

SurvivorNet experts suggest that women who need a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.

• Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
• Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
• Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
• Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

If you’re diagnosed with cervical cancer or have a loved one who is, you may be wondering how get more answers from your care team to make sure your treatment journey is on track. Here are some questions you can ask your oncologist.

• Which treatments do you recommend for my specific case, and why?
• What side effects should I expect from these treatments, both short‑term and long‑term?
• How will treatment affect my fertility, sexual health, or overall quality of life?
• Should I seek a second opinion or consult a specialist in gynecologic oncology?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---