A MUM of two from Sale is fighting to raise awareness of cervical cancer following her own battle with the disease in 1995.
Karen Dowling, aged 38, was diagnosed with cervical cancer after receiving the results of an abnormal smear test. She underwent a radical hysterectomy and lymph node removal, and although chemotherapy or radiotherapy was not deemed necessary, the entire ordeal was a time of immense emotional and physical strain, for Karen and her family, including her children Matthew and Nicola who were just eight and nine years old at the time.
After completing her brave recovery Karen began helping others as a health care support worker at Wythenshawe Hospital, with part of her role involving working on the gynaecology out-patient unit.
Additionally, Karen became involved with Jo’s Trust, a UK charity dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix. Karen donates at least one full day every week, to concentrate specifically on raising awareness by running fundraising events and holding special awareness days.
Karen said: “We are fighting a constant battle to increase awareness about the disease. Women need to be aware of their own bodies, and they should not be afraid to ask questions. Help is out there.”
Karen Dowling with her daughter Nicola
Jo’s Trust is also pioneering to get the Government to make the vaccine Gardasil available on the NHS before the end of the summer. The vaccine protects women against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which causes the cancer, and could reduce levels of the disease by a staggering 78 percent across Britain. The drug is not yet available on the NHS and has already forced hundreds of young girls and women to seek private treatment at a cost of around £450.
“The Government needs to realise the seriousness of this issue, and stop dragging their feet. The vaccine could help save thousands of lives. Anybody who isn’t sure about the vaccine should look at Jo’s Trust, look at people battling the cancer look at all the woman who lost their battles.”
This week has also seen the first annual European Cervical Cancer prevention week (January 21 to 28), which has been launched by the European Cervical Cancer Association and involved a number of events in European countries, as well as the European Parliament.
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