'I was told I didn't need smear test after my hysterectomy - doctors were wrong'

16 June 2024 , 21:33

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Bronwyn Beazley had both breasts removed after a period of painful periods (Image: Bronwyn Beazley / SWNS)

A woman at high risk of developing cancer had both breasts and part of her vagina removed despite never having the disease.

Bronwyn Beazley, 53, underwent a hysterectomy 10 years ago in 2014 after experiencing heavy, painful periods for years. The mum-of-three was told she would no longer need smear tests, until she discovered a lump on the outside of her vagina in November 2022. Her doctor suggested a precautionary smear test and she was shocked to discover she had abnormal cells called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (VIN3).

They were "one step" from developing into vaginal cancer and Bronwyn had part of her vulva removed to reduce the risk of the disease developing. Bronwyn also discovered she had abnormal cells in one of her breasts during a routine mammogram, that could develop into cancer. She bravely opted to have both breasts removed in a double mastectomy in May 2023.

Bronwyn Beazley is hoping her story helps women remain 'vigilant' in getting a smear test (Bronwyn Beazley / SWNS)

Now Bronwyn wants to encourage woman to be "vigilant" and continue getting regular smear tests even if they've had a hysterectomy. Bronwyn, who cannot work due to her health issues, from Mackay, Queensland, Australia, said: "I was told I'd never need a smear test again but turns out, I did.

"I had no idea you could get abnormal cells after a hysterectomy. My family has a history of cancer, and I've seen too many loved ones die. I've always been very vigilant at going to screenings and checking for lumps. But some woman don't check and it could have be so much worse. Woman should be getting smear test for life - getting one saved mine."

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Bronwyn had an "abnormal" smear test in her early 20s but after a procedure to burn away the cells, she had no further issues. In her 30s, she began experiencing an unrelated problem with extremely heavy, painful periods. Doctors offered to perform a full hysterectomy as a "last result" for the excessive bleeding.

In 2014, she had the operation to remove her cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries aged 43. She claimed doctors told she would "never" need a smear test again. Everything was fine for the next 10 years, until she suddenly found a lump outside of her vagina in November 2022. She said: "I had no other symptoms at all. All I had was a wart-like lump outside of my vagina. It was lucky I checked, I'm single, and no one else would have spotted it apart from me."

Bronwyn has since had both breasts and part of her vagina removed (Bronwyn Beazley / SWNS)

Bronwyn went to the GP who performed a smear test "just to be safe". To her shock, the results came back with the abnormal cells VIN at stage 3 the highest likeliness of developing into cancer. In June 2023, she met with an oncologist had a colposcopy - which is a close-up examination of the cervix using a microscope. Later that month, she had half of the left side of her vulva removed, and part of the right side too to stop the disease developing.

"It was very nearly full-blown cancer. It was a total fluke they found it. I had no pain relief either for the colposcopy which I think needs to be an option. Men get knocked out for a vasectomy, but woman are expected to take it," she explained.

Luckily, she didn't need further treatment, but will continue having smear tests to monitor. Around the same time, in February 2023, Bronwyn underwent a routine breast screening. To her shock, doctors discovered she also had abnormal breast tissue called Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) the earliest changes in cells that might become breast cancer.

Bronwyn had a smear test 'just to be safe' and received shocking results (Bronwyn Beazley / SWNS)

Bronwyn bravely opted to have both boobs chopped off in May 2023 prevent the disease developing. She said: "The image of my breast looked like it was filled with gunshot pellets. It was very nearly cancer. I couldn't believe it was happening again - I'm one lucky woman that it wasn't already cancer."

She is hoping encourage other woman to continue getting smear tests and going for regular breast screenings. She said: "I know other woman who have lost their clitoris, or it's eaten through their vagina wall into their anus and left with a stoma bag. It's so important woman are going for regular screening, including smear tests. Even after having a hysterectomy. What I've been through is not pretty, but it's real, and honestly happens to women like me every day. It needs to be highlighted and I hope I can help just one other woman."

Ewan Gleadow