Cancer survivor criticises 'slow progress' on care reforms

A MOTHER-OF-ONE who can never have the second child she wanted after surviving cervical cancer says women are being let down by “slow progress” on promised health reforms.

- CHRIS HAINES ICNN Senedd reporter [e-mail]

Jessica Mason, 43, spoke out amid concerns that 15 of an inquiry’s 26 recommendations to improve gynaecological cancer care in Wales remain undelivered nearly two years on.

The Senedd health committee's inquiry was inspired by Claire's campaign - launched by Claire O'Shea, who died aged 42 from gynaecological cancer in May.

Her campaign seeks to change health services in Wales for women living with cancer who are too often dismissed, downplayed, unheard and misdiagnosed.

Ms Mason, from Penarth, was forced into an early menopause and had a hysterectomy to survive her cervical cancer, which was repeatedly misdiagnosed. She felt “fobbed off” every time she went to the GP with symptoms of the life-threatening disease.

Ms Mason warned “slow progress is as consequential as no progress” for women affected by the issues highlighted by Claire’s campaign and the resulting inquiry.

She said: “While we welcome the ongoing commitment to prioritise gynaecological cancers by the Welsh Government concrete, impactful actions must swiftly follow.

“Claire turned her negative experience of getting her cancer diagnosis into a positive, forceful campaign to ensure no other woman goes through the same thing. We need to see an improvement in gynaecological cancer outcomes but progress does seem slow.”