A mum-of-two from Salford is reminding people to make time for their health this festive season as she marks her fourth Christmas since her cancer diagnosis.
Kathy Morse, 57, from Walkden, was diagnosed with vaginal cancer on December 4, 2020.
She faced a difficult Christmas waiting for her surgery in the New Year.
As she prepares to celebrate another Christmas, Kathy wants to remind everyone to make time for themselves and their health during the festive period.
She said: “Everyone is very busy at this time of year. I sometimes hear people saying ‘I don’t have time to be ill’, but everyone makes time to buy and wrap presents. Looking after your health should be a present to yourself all year around.
“You should never be too busy to get yourself checked out if you have symptoms that you are worried about. I wouldn’t be here this Christmas if I hadn’t made that appointment.”
Kathy, a former teaching assistant, originally went to her GP feeling dizzy but tests couldn’t find anything wrong. Then she discovered a lump in her vagina and went back to her GP for a check-up. She was sent for a biopsy and later discovered she had cancer.
Kathy went on to have surgery in early 2021, followed by an intense programme of radiotherapy and chemotherapy so she also sympathises with anyone currently undergoing or waiting for cancer treatment at Christmas.
She said: “I wore my ‘Mrs Claus’ hat to my pre-op appointment. It felt a bit strange, but it really cheered the staff up and that put a smile on my face.
“I wanted to keep a sense of normality and do what I would normally do! I had Christmas day with my mum and my grown-up daughter and we didn’t really talk about my cancer diagnosis on Christmas day.
“I would say to anyone facing Christmas with cancer, don’t get too hung up about Christmas. It’s just one day. Do what you would normally do if you can, but don’t be afraid to ask for help and give yourself some time to be upset if you need to be.”
Kathy now volunteers as a patient representative with Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance’s Cancer Voices Community where she helps to influence improvements in cancer services. She also works with gynaecological cancer charities.
She said: “Each Christmas is like a benchmark since my diagnosis, and if I can do anything to help other people then I will. My main message to people is please don’t die of embarrassment. GPs carry out examinations all the time.
“Make sure you book an appointment with your GP if you have symptoms you are worried about – even when things are busy at Christmas.”
Dr Sarah Taylor, a GP in Greater Manchester and Associate Medical Director for Early Diagnosis and Primary Care at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance – part of the NHS – said: “As GPs, we’re used to talking about things that people might find embarrassing but there’s really nothing to worry about and your doctor will put you at ease.
“Your GP wants to hear from you if you’re experiencing anything unusual or anything that is worrying you. The chances are that it won’t be cancer, but if it is, then finding it early means it will be more treatable.”
