8-month wait for scan that found aggressive tumour

SAM Ransom put off her smear test for eight months because she was unable to get a GP appointment at evenings or weekends – then found she had a fast-growing tumour.

When the PA finally had a cervical screening, it found the tumour – and showed she was four months pregnant. She made the agonising decision to have an abortion because she was given only a 20 per cent chance of survival if she delayed treatment until after the birth.

Miss Ransom, 34, of Lordswood, Kent, had part of her cervix removed and was left infertile. She said: ‘I put it off due to work commitments and doctors only being open at certain times during the day.’