'I Thought It Was Menopause—But It Was Cancer': 58-Year-Old Woman Ignored THESE Symptoms That Led To Shocking Diagnosis

Menopause is a significant phase in a woman’s life, bringing many hormonal and physical changes. Symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue are common. However, for many women, unexpected changes—such as unusual bleeding—can go unnoticed or be mistaken for menopausal effects. This is exactly what happened with Dawn Willis from Canterbury, who spent a year dismissing her abnormal bleeding as a typical sign of menopause, but the real cause was something else.

Ignoring Subtle Symptoms

Dawn had no idea that a tumour was growing in her womb. “So much happens to your body during menopause that I thought the bleeding was normal,” she said. “But then my belly swelled, and my family urged me to get checked. I’m so glad they did because I was diagnosed just in time.”

At first, Dawn didn’t see her symptoms as alarming. Like many women, she assumed that changes in her period were a normal part of ageing. However, persistent or heavy bleeding after menopause is not normal and can be an early sign of uterine (womb) cancer.

Dawn regrets not acting sooner. “I’m so angry with myself for ignoring it. If I had waited even a few more months, I don’t think I’d be here today.”

Does Heavy Flow Always Mean Cancer?

Not necessarily. Heavy or irregular bleeding can be caused by various conditions, including fibroids, polyps, or hormonal fluctuations. However, postmenopausal bleeding—any bleeding that occurs after periods have stopped for 12 months—is always a red flag that should be checked by a doctor.

According to health experts, warning signs of womb cancer include:

- Heavy or prolonged bleeding after menopause

- Spotting or unusual discharge

- Pelvic pain or bloating

- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue

Early detection is crucial, as survival rates are much higher when cancer is diagnosed in its early stages.

After Diagnosis

After her diagnosis, Dawn was determined to fight. “Do whatever it takes to keep me alive. I love my life. My husband and I have a house in Spain, and we’ve had an easy life. I wasn’t ready to go anywhere. Cancer wasn’t going to beat me.”

Overcoming her fear of hospitals, she found comfort in her medical team. “The only thing I felt was safety and reassurance that they were going to fix me. My consultant, Dr Kannon Nathan, and my nurse, Vicky Morgan, were incredible. The whole team kept my spirits up.”

A Second Chance at Life

After a year of intensive treatments, Dawn is now cancer-free. While she suffered complications, including a perforated bowel due to radiation damage, she remains optimistic. “I have a stoma now, which I hope will be reversed soon, but otherwise, I’m back to making the most of life.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Visit your GP and get checked,” she said.

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