23-Year-Old Woman With ‘Very Healthy Lifestyle’ Diagnosed With Rare Vaginal Cancer After She ‘Needed To Pee More Often’

Prior to her diagnosis, the Solent University graduate had moved out of Berkshire and was set to start a new job in Manchester in April 2022. But months into her new journey she had a “gut feeling” something was wrong with her body.

It wasn’t until September 2022 that she finally saw a doctor, had an MRI scan and biopsywhich her diagnosis followed.

Speaking to Manchester Evening News about her unexpected health journey, Parkinson explained, “It's never really something you expect. You wouldn't expect it at any age, especially when you're fit and healthy.

“And I live a very healthy lifestyle. My friends can't believe it's happened.”

Although Parkinson only had a handful of symptoms, her doctor insisted she go see a specialist within a week of her first appointment.

Coming to Terms with a Cancer Diagnosis

Parkinson recalls not having “that many symptoms,” adding, “Looking back, around September last year, I knew something wasn't right. I had a bit of a weird gut feeling and at the time I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. I knew something was off.

“I was worried I was going to be ignored [by a doctor] but I knew my body best. Then I gradually started to get a few more symptoms; I found that I would need to go and pee more often.”

She explained further, “But naturally, around the time of your period, you would get those things. They were normal symptoms.

“Then I started to notice I would bleed after sex and it happened a few times. All those things combined, I thought there was obviously something and went to the doctors to check.”

Parkinson received her diagnosis just two weeks after getting checked by a gynecologist and to combat the disease, she promptly began a seven-week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Five weeks after her treatment concluded, a followup scan revealed the cancer had become stage four and metastasized (spread) to her spin, neck, and liver.

"Even at the stage I'd caught it at initially, the treatment hadn't got there quick enough to stop the rest of the cancer spreading," Parkinson said. “I think that probably the hardest [news to take]. Before that, you think, let's do this and let's get through the treatment.

Cancer Brought Me So Many Lessons

She continued, "No one was expecting what the scan was going to show at all. I think that was such a shock to the system. I thought, I've done all this treatment, how has this happened?

“You realize you have little understanding of these illnesses. That was the hardest one to find out about. I was a very fit and healthy person, waking up at 6am to go to the gym before work. I was living a normal, healthy lifestyle.”

Now, a GoFundMe set up to help Parkinson pay for treatments, has since raised nearly $8,000, and the young woman is raising awareness in hopes that others will take action and not ignore symptoms of the disease.

She will soon undergo additional chemotherapy and immunotherapy sessions aiming to minimize the cancer.

Women Of All Ages Should Know The Facts Around Cancer Screenings

"The problem with the type of cancer I have is being a younger female who isn't eligible for smear tests, problems like that go unnoticed. There's nothing in place for you to know symptoms. That's a problem,” she added.

Despite the tough days ahead, Parkinson is grateful to have a “very good support system around me” as she maintains a positive headspace.

Understanding Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancer is a type of gynecological cancer that occurs in the vagina the muscular tube that connects your uterus with your outer genitals.

This cancer is rare, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 67. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 8,470 new cases of the vagina and other female genital in 2023.

RELATED: 5 Possible Symptoms That May Indicate Gynecological Cancer

Early vaginal cancer may not cause any signs and symptoms. But as the disease progresses, vaginal cancer may cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding, for example, after intercourse or after menopause
• Watery vaginal discharge
• A lump or mass in your vagina
• Painful urination
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Pelvic pain

It's important to note that although these symptoms can be caused by other things, it's always a good idea to see your doctor should any of them occur.

Sex After A Gynecological Cancer “It's a Journey”

According to the National Institute of Cancer (NIH) stage three vaginal cancer, which Georgina Parkinson was first diagnosed with is when the cancer has spread to the wall of the pelvis.

As for stage four vaginal cancer, it’s divided into two stages, stage 4A and stage 4B. We’re unsure what type of stage four vaginal cancer Parkinson ended up getting diagnosed with, but the NIH explains stage 4A as, the cancer may having spread to one or more of the following areas, the lining of the bladder, the lining of the rectum, and “beyond the area of the pelvis that has the bladder, uterus, ovaries, and cervix.”

As for vaginal stage 5B, the NIH says it’s cancer that has “spread to parts of the body that are not near the vagina, such as the lung or bone.”

Treatment options can vary for vaginal cancer patients, but these are the types that are normally used:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

RELATED: SurvivorNet's Guide To Clinical Trials: What Are They And Are They Right for You?

Additionally, new types of treatment which are being tested in clinical trials are:

• Immunotherapy
• Radiosensitizers

Clinical trials are a key tool in the toolbox of cancer patients and their care teams.

Dr. Suman Rao, an oncologist at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet, “Clinical trials help patients receive cutting-edge treatments for cancer that otherwise would not be accessible to them.

"Patients on trials are also very closely monitored for side effects and often get the extra benefit of the whole research team being involved in their care."

Clinical Trials Can be Life-Saving for Some

Advocate for Yourself

Whether you are currently fighting cancer or fearing that you might have it, it's incredibly important to be your own advocate. Cancer is a life-and-death situation, and you have every right to demand that your doctors get to the bottom of any symptom that's worrying you.

Related: 23-Year-Old Woman Denied Pap Smear 15 Times Before Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer; Always Advocate For Yourself & Push For Answers

When working with your medical team, tell them exactly what you are feeling and raise anything that may feel off to you. Every symptom should have a plan in place to address it, and if you feel like you are not being heard, continue to push and seek a second opinion if your concerns are not being addressed.

The only way to know this is to continue to push for answers, telling your medical team exactly what you are experiencing and demanding that you receive the best treatment for your specific situation.

Related: Encouraging News: Cancer Centers Adapting, Patients Receiving Treatment The Latest Reporting Every Cancer Patient Should Read

"Every appointment you leave as a patient, there should be a plan for what the doc is going to do for you, and if that doesn't work, what the next plan is,” Dr. Zuri Muriell, Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview.

“And I think that that's totally fair. And me as a health professional that's what I do for all of my patients.”

RELATED: Second Opinions on Your Cancer Diagnosis or Treatment: Do You Need One?

Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don't Settle

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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