Mum refused tests as GP said she was 'too young' for anything serious dies at 32
A mum-of-three who was told she was "too young" to have cancer has died aged 32.
Emma Rice, from Birkenhead, was repeatedly told by her GP that the abnormal bleeding she was experiencing was a result of her contraception becoming "misaligned" and that it had "lacerated" her womb. In addition, the GP said he would not perform any tests and that she was "too young for it to be anything else."
However, when she had her contraception removed by a specialist she was then told they had "never seen a womb look that way which wasn't a case of cervical cancer." Emma was soon diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer, which later became stage four and spread to her lungs.
Emma in hospital during her treatment (Dava Rice / SWNS)
Emma in the hospice (Dava Rice / SWNS)Doctors gave Emma just 12 months to live. She died on June 29, aged 32, in the company of her family and husband David.
Speaking to Liverpool Echo, David - known affectionately as Dava - spoke of Emma's bravery and selflessness, even in those final months. Dava is passionate about warning others and encouraged people with any doubt whatsoever to get checked and do a smear test.
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It was also a passion of Emma's when she spoke to the the same publication earlier this year following her diagnosis. Dava said: "As soon as we found the news we were both devastated.
"Emma was traumatised because she didn't want to leave us all behind. She was brave and always put other people before herself on every occasion. Her body kept rejecting chemotherapy.
"It was January when she had to be admitted to hospice care. She remained there until June 29, when she died.
Emma and Dava with kids David Junior, 11, Keeley-Mae, 10 and six-year-old Ariela. (Clarity Wedding Photography / SWNS)"When Emma eventually fell into a deep sleep and I stayed with her in the hospice the kids all came to see her and on the day when she passed. It was absolutely devastating as a father to watch my kids go through that.
"We all just live day to day at the moment. We just get from the morning to the evening. It's definitely worth getting checked, even without any symptoms. It's only at stage three when you receive symptoms for cervical cancer.
"I believe personally she could still be here if she had earlier tests and found it earlier." In January, Dava told of his plans to marry Emma before she died.
The pair became husband and wife on April 29, two months before her death. Dava said: "We got married on April 29 she got to have the day she wanted.
"The wedding was amazing. It was the best day of my life. It was just amazing."
This month is Gynaecological cancer awareness month, which aims to raise awareness around cancers such as Emma's as well as their early detection and prevention. One in four women throughout the country don't attend their cervical screening test, which can have serious implications.
Screening is believed to save around 5,000 lives in England each year. It is vital not to ignore your cervical screening invitation, offered to individuals with a cervix every three years for people aged 25-49 years, every five years for those aged 50-64 years and more frequently if HPV or abnormal cell changes are detected.
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As well as being available through your GP, those wanting to can also go to a sexual health clinic or walk-in centre for screening.
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