How my story begins: Hi, I'm Stephanie. I've lived in Dubai for 15 years, and I was diagnosed with Stage 3B cervical cancer. I was first diagnosed in July 2021 with adenocarcinoma at age 38.

My story started in September 2020 when I began having abnormal bleeding. I took myself off to the hospital, even though I felt stupid saying, "My period is super heavy and not really normal for me." I had an ultrasound of my womb and ovaries, and both were normal. The doctor said it was just a thickening of the lining of my womb and not to worry. She started me on the pill and asked me to let her know when my period stopped and to return to see her.

My period never stopped, so I went back to the hospital and explained this, only to be told I needed to give it three months for the pill to work.

I wasn't happy with this first doctor, so I phoned my regular gynecologist, who had left the country. My last visit with her was in March 2019, and my Pap smear and checkup were completely normal. I have never missed or delayed a smear test. She said it could be hormonal but recommended two other gynecologists for me to see. So I chose the second hospital, which specializes in women's health and has multiple gynecologists working there.

I went to this third gynecologist, a well-known British doctor, in November and explained my heavy periods since September and what pill I was taking. I told her it was really unusual for me. I also had lower back pain and was tired all the time. She did another ultrasound and saw nothing. She decided to change my pill to see if that would help.

I went back in November, February, March, May, and June. At this stage, all the treatment I was receiving consisted of different pills and hormonal tests. I had gained 9 kg and felt absolutely drained and exhausted. She then told me I had an ovarian cyst and was insulin resistant, and she started medication for that.

Finally, I decided this wasn't right, so I took myself to a fourth gynecologist in June 2021 at a different clinic.

Again, I went through my history and symptoms with this new doctor. She was also from the UK and very straight-talking. I explained all the pills and medications I was taking. She was absolutely furious after hearing my story and learning how many hormones I was being pumped with.

During my physical examination, she performed an ultrasound to check my ovaries and womb. They were completely fine. Then she physically examined my cervix. Not with a scan, but by actually looking at it. She immediately saw that my cervix had ridges and was bleeding heavily. She called in a second doctor to confirm what she was seeing.

By this stage, I had been bleeding continuously for more than 60 days with what I thought was a period. She immediately got me an appointment with an oncologist, whom she personally called herself.

My LUCKY number 5 doctor — a gynecologic oncologist, also from the UK — was absolutely lovely.

I realize now how silly I was. I was soooo nervous because this doctor was a man. Even after everything, I was embarrassed and nervous. Again, I went through my entire medical history since 2019. I still had my smear test and swab results, and he confirmed everything had been perfectly normal at my last screening.

He then performed a colposcopy and took seven biopsies.

The results came back positive for adenocarcinoma. He explained that it had spread beyond my cervix and uterus and that it was too late to move my ovaries out of the way of treatment or preserve my eggs because the cancer was too aggressive.

To be honest, I think part of me was relieved to finally know what was wrong.

He spent an hour talking me through everything. I wanted to know all the medical details. He scheduled my CT scan and MRI to determine my stage. Initially, I was told I had Stage 2B cervical cancer, but my cancer was so aggressive that within two weeks, by the time I had my PET scan, it had grown by 40%. I was then diagnosed with Stage 3B cervical cancer before starting treatment.

I then began radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and brachytherapy.

I finally had my first clear scan in July 2022.

I'm sharing my story to help people recognize the signs and symptoms and to know what is not normal for them. Don't be embarrassed to get yourself checked out. Question your doctors and fight for answers if you know something isn't right. Go and get your well-woman examinations.

Life before my diagnosis: Hairdresser and with my husband for 20 years.

How I felt after diagnosis: I was numb and just got on with treatment. I've been fighting this adenocarcinoma cervical cancer for 4 years now.

My treatment: Radiotherapy
Brachytherapy
Stereotactic Radiotherapy
Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy

How I felt after treatment: My latest scan still shows metastatic disease, but only two lymph node areas have gotten bigger. The rest have remained stable for the first time ever.

What was most difficult for me: Telling my family and friends that the cancer is getting worse, even after fighting so hard.

What I did to help myself: I try not to think about it. I get up every day and act normal with my husband, and I tell my family every day that I love them.

My life after cancer: Still trying to do day-to-day things, even through the pain.

Where I am today: Stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma. My next step is needles in my SI joints next week to help with the pain.

What I want other women to know: Keep fighting. You can do this.

How I will try to help others: I'm here to tell my story.