Mum-of-two Michelle praises 'faultless' staff after successful cancer treatment
A mum of two has praised the “faultless” staff at Royal Derby Hospital and urged women to attend their appointments for smear tests after receiving the news that her treatment for cervical cancer had been successful.
45-year-old Michelle Camm from Ilkeston was diagnosed with Stage 3c cervical cancer in July 2020 and has since undergone courses of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy.
A smear test in February 2020 discovered types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in Michelle’s cervix, which is the main cause of cervical cancer. Other than this, Michelle said she displayed no other symptoms until a few weeks later.
She said: “Around three weeks after I received my results, I noticed that I was bleeding slightly after intercourse and then on 16 May, I had a really big bleed so I went to my GP. Other than this, I felt perfectly fit and healthy.”
Following the visit to her GP, Michelle was referred to the Royal Derby Hospital where it was noticed that her cervix looked slightly tough, and a biopsy was taken in June for further tests. It was following this that Michelle received her diagnosis.
She said: “I never expected it at all. It all just happened so quickly after my smear test at the start of the year and when they gave me the news, it felt like I’d been told a family member had died. It felt dark and horrible and I knew there was no going back.”
Michelle then embarked on her treatment from July until September 2020, undergoing 10 weeks of chemotherapy while also undergoing radiotherapy, as well as receiving further internal, high dose radiotherapy known as brachytherapy. Despite it being an arduous treatment regime, Michelle was determined to remain positive throughout:
“I actually viewed it as a new job, the most important job I am ever going to have as it could save my life. It was really hard at the start, but I just thought that if I could remain positive about it, it would help me in the long run. I would often say to myself ‘lose the hair, lose the cancer’.
“I pushed all of the ‘cancer demons’ as far to the back of my mind as I could and I was able to do this really well. Even so, I would still sit there some days and it would just hit me that I had cancer.”
But on 16 March 2021, Michelle received the news that her treatment had been successful; a moment she describes as the best of her life. 
She said: “I spent months fighting this so to get that news was overwhelming. It definitely tops getting married and having children – nothing comes close to getting that news that your life isn’t under threat from cancer any more.
“There is always that niggling fear at the back of your mind that it might come back, so I’m just living life in blocks between my scans now and living life to its fullest.
“It’s also just so vital that women attend their appointments for a smear test. I know that it’s really horrible, but it doesn’t last long and it could save your life.”
Now, Michelle is hoping to work with the team who cared for her at Royal Derby Hospital to offer support for patients who receive a cervical cancer diagnosis as a way of saying thank you for the “faultless” care she received.
Michelle added: “The staff were amazing. When you consider I was being treated during the pandemic, you would never have known. Everything was speedy, the staff were wonderful and I got to know them all so well that I actually began to enjoy my regular trips to the hospital!”
Claire Hill, Gynaecology Oncology Nurse Specialist, said: “We follow the patient’s pathway, including the ups and downs, so it’s really heart-warming to see positive outcomes like Michelle’s. We have support groups and put patients in touch with ladies like Michelle to offer that first-hand experience and share exactly what it’s like.
“It brings a smile to our faces when our patients share their stories and it also gives us an overwhelming sense of pride to have helped someone through their treatment and get that positive outcome: it’s why we do the job.”
Michelle is also planning to write a book about her treatment to help fellow cancer patients on their journey:
“I'm a real people person and I'm really positive and want to help women in a similar position by sharing all of my experiences and giving them some of my positivity. I am walking proof that there is hope for you.”
Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix and typically affects sexually active women between the ages of 25 and 65, with a peak between the ages of 30 – 35. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under the age of 35. Cervical screening can detect early changes which can be treated before cancer develops, so it is vital that women continue to attend their screening appointments (often referred to as smear tests) during the pandemic.
Anyone who is worried about cervical cancer symptoms should speak to their GP at the earliest possible opportunity.