Detection of Cervical Cancer
74
Mercedes Curnow
Fourteen years ago in 1998 I went to visit my sister in law with my husband.
All the family were there along with other distant relatives that I hadn’t seen for ages if ever at all.
You know how life gets, we mean to stay in touch and meet more often and before you know it time passes.
Just before Christmas of last year I heard the terribly sad news that the cousin of my neices and nephews had died.
Her name was Mercedes Curnow and she was only 23 years old.
She died from cervical cancer.
You may have heard of Mercedes Curnow before, Either from my face book page where I am constantly leaving links, or from the media.
Mercedes’ family set up a face book account on the 5th January 2012 which has already reached nearly 3000 'likes'.
Here's the thing. Mercedes Curnow should not have died from cervical cancer. You don’t die from this disease if it’s caught early enough. Had Mercedes been allowed a smear test the first time she attended the GP with symptoms she would be with us today!
Mercedes herself wanted to raise awareness before she died in order that no one else has to go through this suffering, so she along with her family decided to set up a foundation.
Did you know that in England young women are not allowed to have routine smear tests until the age of 25? Unlike Ireland,Scotland and Wales where the age is 20, the same age Mercedes was when she went to the doctors with symptoms.
This country needs to reduce the age in England down to 20 years old, if not younger, but at 20 at least we will be in line with the rest of the UK. Mercedes mother Sandra has started a petition (hard copy) that she is going to present to the Prime Minister around the same date that Mercedes was originally diagnosed. This petition is campaigning for the law to be changed in England.
If you would like to help, please sign on the links below and download the pdf.
It doesn’t matter what ever country you live in, the more signatures they have the better chance for change, which ultimately will save lives.
Copyright © 2011 Lesley Sherwood
The Mercedes Curnow Foundation Website
Mercedes Curnow Foundation for the early detection of Cervical Cancer
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (5)
- Funny
- Awesome (5)
- Beautiful (4)
- Interesting (5)
CommentsLoading...
This is so sad and I am sorry to hear of her loss. What a waste of a young life especially when it could have been prevented. I will happily click so no one else has to die from cervical cancer because of a ridiculous law and age limit. My thoughts are with you and the rest of the family.
it is very sad.. but true. I live in ireland, and i have to tell you that now the law has changed to 25 also.. i'm 27. only because i had a baby young (20) i did a smear test after having him, and having gynecological problems, thats why they did one. I think it is disgraceful that young women are not allowed to have one.. just look at jade goody! But to be honest, i think that the governments are oblivious to the fact that more and more young women are getting cervical cancer every year. I lost a good friend of mine to breast cancer last year. she was 38 and pregnant with her 4th child when she got symptoms. She went to the hospital and they told her that it were probably the milk ducts swelling, as she was pregnant. Not until 3 months later and heavily pregnant they got worried, and did what they should have done. Unfortunately it was too late already. Her baby was delivered early, and they did a mastectomy and gave her chemo, but within 9 months she died. The father was devastated, now alone with 4 small children, 1 of which has down's syndrome. I just pray that more awareness will be raised, and lives will be saved.
I am truly sorry for Leslie and her family. I hope her voice will still be heard and her cause will save someone else's life, many other lives. Thank you for sharing her journey with us Leslie.
Hi Leslie,
Wow, thank you for sharing this incredibly sad yet important story. Someone is my family was diagnosed in her early twenties. They caught it early and now over 10 years later, she is doing well. I wish Mercedes had that chance. I will check out your links. Take care,
Sharyn
Hi Leslie,
Good for you for fighting for this cause and warning others in this beautiful young woman's memory. There are so many unfair factors in woman's health in this country and not enough is being done to combat it. Women are denied tests for cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer as young women even when they have a proven genetic disposition for such things. Men can get viagra with insurance, but most providers will not pay for birth control for women. I hope that people like you and your work on these issues will change conditions for women in this country. Well done. She was so beautiful!
Esmeralda, I didn't realize that about Ireland. Thank goodness you got seen to. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. How can they know whether its just a swollen milk duct. How ridiculous. It saddens me when I think of how much money we waste in the western world on needless things and our loved ones die before their time.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND SUPPORT. I AM NOT GOING TO REPLY INDIVIDUALLY AS I FEEL YOU GUYS HAVE SAID IT ALL. PLEASE KEEP SPREADING THE WORD. DONT LET ANY OTHER FAMILY HAVE TO SUFFER NEEDLESSLY IN THIS WAY BECAUSE OF A STUPID LAW!!!
I am sorry to read this. I had no idea the rules were different in England.
You are right, this is very important, so thanks for sharing Mercedes's story.
That is very sad. It could have been treated earlier if she had been tested earlier for it. We can all learn something from this. Thanks for sharing this with us.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND SUPPORT. I AM NOT GOING TO REPLY INDIVIDUALLY AS I FEEL YOU GUYS HAVE SAID IT ALL. PLEASE KEEP SPREADING THE WORD. DONT LET ANY OTHER FAMILY HAVE TO SUFFER NEEDLESSLY IN THIS WAY BECAUSE OF A STUPID LAW!!!
dadibobs Level 4 Commenter 4 months ago
I agree with your sentiment, Mercedes never should have died, and the government should allow any woman who wants a smear, to actually have one.
Maybe even make it mandatory.
Great hub, awesome and up.