A young UK mother has died of cervical cancer after she was denied a pap smear because she was “too young”.
24-year-old Rachel Sarjantson was an engaged mother-of-one who sought a pap smear test at her local clinic, only to be told she was too young to have it.
Despite clearly being sexually active, the doctors on staff at Rachel’s local Blackpool clinic told her they had the adhere to the age limit of the test – which is 25.
After battling it for a year, Rachel died on August 12th of what doctors have called a “completely avoidable” case of cervical cancer.
Rachel’s distraught mother, Lisa, has spoken out about her daughter’s case, calling her daughter’s circumstances “tragic”.
“She didn’t need to suffer this,” said Lisa, “It was tragic and completely avoidable. It shouldn’t be happening in this country.”
Months later, when Rachel was finally given the test, the young mother was devastated to find out it was already too late.
Rachel was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer, which requires her to undergo a radical hysterectomy and radiation therapy.
Unfortunately, the treatments were, for the most part, unsuccessful and Rachel succumbed to her disease in August.
Since her death, her mother has spoken out about her daughter’s fight and her positivity.
“She was a loving person and very close with her little boy. Throughout the whole thing, she remained positive,” said Lisa.
“She never gave in and made a bucket list because as far as she was concerned she was going to beat it,” she continued, “She was trying to plan camping trips. She really wanted to get better and to carry on – as far as she was concerned that’s what she was going to do.”
“Even when the doctors said you don’t have to have any more operations if you don’t want, she said ‘no, that would be giving in’.”
Rachel’s sister, Zoe, has also given a voice to her sister’s plight, commenting that lowering the age limit for pap smears might saved thousands of lives – including her sister’s.
“If the age limit had been lowered already, she might still be here,” said Zoe.
“So many young girls are dying of it. Maybe in time they can help other mums, for their children’s sake if not anything else.”
The current age minimum in the UK stands at 25. In Australia, it is 18.
In Australia, the risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer is 1 in 159.
