Cancer kills a bride of 25 who was too young for smear test
A BRIDE told she was too young for a smear test has died of a rare form of cervical cancer at the age of 25.
Emma Fisk visited her GP 10 times and saw a specialist after she began suffering from stomach cramps and unusual bleeding in 2013.
However, doctors at first refused her request for a smear test because she was under 25.
She was eventually diagnosed with advanced neuroendocrine carcinoma.
In January she married her longterm boyfriend Dan, 28, and the couple held a two- day fairytale reception at a castle.
But Emma’s condition deteriorated and she died in June at the age of 25.
Now her devastated family have launched the Team Emma Campaign to fight to lower the age for smear tests and help save other young lives.
Emma’s mother Adele Willis said: “If girls were called up for smears earlier, from the age of 18, then our beautiful Emma might still be here with us today.
Beautiful
“She was fit and healthy and slim – she didn’t smoke, take drugs or drink.
“She loved everyone and they loved her. She was a beautiful person inside and out and we are lost without her.”
Emma, of Selby, North Yorkshire, first went to the doctor in 2013 and in December of that year was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation in the lining of the gut.
After telling her specialist about her unusual bleeding she was referred back to her GP, who told her she was too young for a smear test.
After weeks of protesting, Emma was finally granted a smear test at the end of April 2014.
By this time Emma was so ill that the doctor carrying out the test could not finish it as her cervix began to bleed. In June 2014 she was devastated to be told that she had cancer.
Emma’s stepmother, Ashley Crawford, said: “We thought that was the worst it was going to get. All along they were talking ‘ cure’. She had a very rare type of cervical cancer and we were sure she would pull through.”
After three cycles of chemotherapy, Emma started radiotherapy in August last year but the family was shattered when an MRI scan in December revealed that her tumour had returned and spread to her liver and stomach.
She died at home in June surrounded by her family.
“Dan ran upstairs and burst into the room and took her hand. She looked at him and then at her dad,” said Adele.
“I was talking to her saying, ‘ We’re all here Emma, we love you, thank you for everything’, and then she took her last breath and went to sleep.”
The family plans to start a petition and take the campaign to Parliament.