'I was told painful toilet sign was menopause, but it wasn't'

A woman who was told her exhaustion was due to the stress of being a teacher was diagnosed with stage three cancer. Susan Seargent, 56, known as Charlie, sought medical advice after experiencing exhaustion, abdominal pain and recurring UTIs in 2020.

She was reassured that she was going through the menopause and that her symptoms were also linked to the stress of her teaching job. She was fitted with a Mirena coil and began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate the symptoms.

However, during a trip to Norfolk with her husband Peter, 53, in February 2023, Susan found herself needing to urinate frequently, then struggling to do so at other times. Scans revealed a 17cm cyst and she underwent an emergency hysterectomy.

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But, six weeks later, doctors confirmed it was stage three endometrial cancer, which had spread. After undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy, Susan is now in remission and raising funds for cancer charities.

Susan, from Lower Hartshay, Derbyshire, said: "I don't blame anyone. But looking back, I now see how all those little things, the fatigue, the UTIs, the pain after eating, were pointing to something more serious.

"Menopause is finally being taken seriously, which is so important. But I do think we need more awareness that not everything is the menopause. Some symptoms can be signs of something else."

Primary school teacher Susan began seeking medical advice for her symptoms in 2020, which included recurrent urinary tract infections, abdominal pain, and fatigue.

These were largely attributed to the stress of her profession and the hormonal changes associated with menopause. Trusting this diagnosis, Susan had a Mirena coil fitted and commenced hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

She recalled: "I even remember doctors increasing the dosage of vaginal oestrogen in my HRT because of the UTIs."

However, it wasn't until a trip to Norfolk with her husband Peter during Valentine's week in February 2023 that Susan realised something was seriously amiss.

She explained: "We'd walked miles, and I kept needing the toilet every 30 minutes. Then one night, I woke up needing to go and just couldn't. The pain was excruciating."

Following an emergency hospital visit where she was fitted with a catheter, scans revealed a 17cm cyst when her symptoms failed to improve.

Showing her resilience, Susan humorously named it "Cedric the cyst". She underwent an emergency full hysterectomy and, six weeks later, received the devastating news that it was cancer.

She said: "They said it was a low chance it would be anything serious. But it was stage three and had already spread to the outside lining of my uterus, in the fluid and right ovary, which they found after the peritoneal washing. It was very hard to hear."

Susan was referred to oncology and underwent six rounds of chemotherapy, from August to September 2023, each round lasting six-and-a-half hours. Despite losing her hair and strength, she refused to let the diagnosis define her.

To maintain a positive outlook, she set herself a challenge: walking the Limestone Way whilst undergoing treatment.

She said: "I was sick, wearing a bobbly hat, holding walking poles and being overtaken by everyone. But I kept going. It helped my mental health, and people started telling me my story inspired them to get outdoors too."

It wasn't until after her cancer treatment had concluded that Susan saw a menopause specialist.

She said: "I finally got an appointment, two years after being referred, and this was unfortunately after my hysterectomy and chemotherapy. The specialist just said, 'I'm so sorry I'm only just seeing you now.' It was just too late."

The cancer had progressed to stage 3. Susan is of the belief that if she had seen the menopause specialist earlier and had a smear test sooner, they could have potentially discovered it before it reached this stage.

When women reach the age of 50, the smear test is every five years, however Susan's last smear test was in 2019 and her cancer was detected and diagnosed in 2023.

Now on the road to recovery, she's planning to cycle 56 miles in the Chris Hoy Tour de 4 on September 7, using an electric bike as part of her ongoing healing journey.

She said: "I've had 'Cedric the cyst' removed, and 'Hetty the hernia' too and this is the next step for me."

Susan is planning to raise awareness and fundraise for the Children's Cancer Unit Charity, inspired by her 19 year old daughter Martha's primary school friend, who also battled cancer in primary school.

Susan said: "When you think of how tough cancer is as an adult and then imagine a 10 or 11 year-old going through it, it's just heart-breaking. That's why I'm doing this."