Latest news with #HelenSwan
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots mum had negative smear tests for years - then discovered she had rare cancer
Helen Swan has her tests come back as normal, but later found out she had cancer which wasn't detected A mum who kept getting negative smear test results was shocked to discover she had a rare form of cervical cancer - one that isn't detected by these tests. Helen Swan, who hails from Aberdeen, experienced weight loss, extreme fatigue and vaginal bleeding from 2017 to 2019. Despite her smear tests coming back negative, the 54-year-old's symptoms continued to worsen. After an examination by her GP revealed tumours in her vagina, she underwent a biopsy in October 2019. In November 2019, Helen was diagnosed with endocervical adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer that starts in the inner lining of the cervix. The cancer was at stage two B, meaning it was "locally advanced". Helen says it had the "potential" to be curable, but scans in November 2021 showed it had spread. Doctors found 16 tumours in Helen's lungs and gave her six months to live. Rejecting the option of palliative chemotherapy on the NHS and choosing to "put it on hold", Helen began exploring alternative treatments. She looked into over-the-counter supplements, dietary changes and mistletoe therapy, which uses extracts from the plant as a complementary cancer treatment. In December 2024, an MRI scan revealed that Helen's cancer had spread further to her scalp, and a full body scan showed it had also reached her spine, jaw, thyroid, liver and bones. Doctors have suggested to Helen that she undergo palliative chemotherapy, but there was "no guarantee it would slow the spread" of her cancer. Searching for alternative treatments, Helen came across a clinic in Germany providing Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) treatment — a procedure the NHS employs for primary liver cancer but which wasn't offered to Helen as her cancer started elsewhere and is also secondary. This targeted TACE therapy involves direct chemotherapy injections into tumours to "kill them" and each session costs £4k. After two successful sessions, Helen has been raising funds to travel back for a third treatment, having been "pleased" with the outcome thus far. Helen, a mum-of-three, previously a primary school teacher and artist, commented: "I was concerned I might have cervical cancer because I was bleeding so much. "I have never had a positive smear test. The cancer I have was not picked up on the smears because it tests for cancerous cells on the outside of the cervix. "My cancer originated on the inside of my cervix. If I was having a smear test and it had grown down to the outside of the cervix it would have picked it up. "It was finally identified after I approached the GP feeling like I was dying due to the excessive bleeding. They carried out an examination and attempted a biopsy too, but struggled due to the extreme amount of bleeding. "The tumours were so vascular if they had cut into them, I would have bled a lot. The whole thing was really hard and traumatic. "I could see the look on their faces. After the scan revealed the tumours in my lungs, I was given six months to live. "I thought that was just not good enough. My sole purpose of doing this [alternative treatment] is my little boy needs me. "My oncologist said he thought my first treatment had given me a reduction in my tumours – I don't know if it's my overall tumours or the tumours he'd specifically treated, but he saw a 10 per cent reduction". In February 2025, Helen launched her GoFundMe page and has since raised over £16k towards affording TACE treatment at Frankfurt University Hospital, Germany. TACE is a procedure that involves injecting chemotherapy into the blood vessel that feeds the cancer, followed by a substance like a gel, or tiny beads to block the blood supply. This treatment is currently only offered to NHS patients with primary liver cancer. Helen has already travelled to Frankfurt twice in March and April for the treatment and says her German doctor is "pleased" with the results so far. She shared: "It's the biggest hospital in Frankfurt, and I have to do my own flights and hotel. Last week I came back from my second visit. "So far he's really pleased with the results, and it's started to work on my tumours. I've got three little tumours on my scalp, and I can already see they've gone down. "I'm set to go again in May, but I'm only going to be able to afford another time once more. It's really hard on me, but I don't want to stop doing this if it's got the potential to save my life. "TACE is only at the stage where they use it on liver cancer in the UK. Going here [to Frankfurt] and having this treatment us unbelievable. "I'm hoping a few months I'll feel better. I don't know how much is possible for me, but I'm hoping I have the potential to get clear. "It's really important to raise the funds to keep going." Helen urges all women to "advocate" for themselves. She said: "Have your smear tests. Not all cervical cancer is the same, and if there is a test available, have them. "Regardless of the smear test, you should have them and if you have any concerns research, look it up online, and go and get help. The smear test is different now to what I had. "The smear I was having were looking for cells on the outside of the cervix, but the smear test now is looking for HPV. "If the test comes back negative still go and get checked and ask the questions. I think you know your own body better than anyone else. If I'd have waited and not persevered and pushed, goodness knows what would have happened". The NHS offers advice on their website for people thinking about having treatment abroad. They write: "If you're thinking about having medical treatment in another country, it's important to understand how it works and the risks involved. "If you do not follow the correct procedures, you may have to pay the full costs of your treatment. You should discuss your plans with a GP before making any final decisions about travel or medical arrangements. "Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) does not cover going abroad for planned medical treatments. "An EHIC or GHIC is for 'necessary healthcare' from state services when you're visiting the EU and Switzerland. "Necessary healthcare means healthcare that becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you're back in the UK to get it. You should also ensure you have adequate travel insurance."
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
'Tests came back negative, then I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer'
'Tests came back negative, then I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer' Helen Swan's smear tests coming back negative but her symptoms got "worse and worse" Helen's symptoms got "worse and worse" despite negative tests (Image: SWNS ) A mum-of-three who had always received negative results from her smear tests was shocked to discover she had a rare form of cervical cancer that these tests do not detect. Helen Swan experienced weight loss, extreme fatigue and vaginal bleeding from 2017 to 2019. However despite her smear tests coming back negative, Helen's symptoms continued to worsen. Following an examination by her GP, which revealed tumours in her vagina, the 54-year-old underwent a biopsy in October 2019. In November 2019, she was then diagnosed with endocervical adenocarcinoma - a type of cervical cancer that originates in the inner lining of the cervix. The cancer was at stage two B, meaning it was "locally advanced" and Helen says it had the "potential" of being curative, but scans in November 2021 revealed it had spread. Doctors found 16 tumours in Helen's lungs and she was given six months to live. Choosing to refuse the option of palliative chemotherapy on the NHS and deciding to "put it on hold", Helen began exploring alternative treatments. She looked into over-the-counter supplements, changes in diet and mistletoe therapy - using extracts from the plant as a complementary cancer treatment. Article continues below In December 2024, Helen was told the cancer had spread further to her scalp following an MRI scan. A subsequent full body scan then revealed it also spread to her spine, jaw, thyroid, liver and bones. Doctors suggested palliative chemotherapy to Helen, but there was "no guarantee it would slow the spread" of her cancer. Seeking other avenues, she discovered a clinic in Germany offering Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) treatment, which is used by the NHS for primary liver cancer but wasn't available to Helen as her cancer started elsewhere and is also secondary. The TACE procedure delivers chemotherapy straight into tumours to "kill them" and comes with a price tag of £4k per session. After two sessions and satisfied with the progress, Helen is now fundraising to afford her third trip to Germany for further treatment. Helen, a mum-of-three from Aberdeen, who has worked as a primary school teacher and an artist, shared: "I was concerned I might have cervical cancer because I was bleeding so much. "I have never had a positive smear test. The cancer I have was not picked up on the smears because it tests for cancerous cells on the outside of the cervix. "My cancer originated on the inside of my cervix. If I was having a smear test and it had grown down to the outside of the cervix it would have picked it up. "I was eventually diagnosed after I had gone to the GP and said I felt like I was dying because I was bleeding so much. They examined me and gave me a biopsy as well of what they could, but they said they struggled taking it because I was bleeding so much. "The tumours were so vascular if they had cut into them, I would have bled a lot. The whole thing was really hard and traumatic. "I could see the look on their faces. After the scan revealed the tumours in my lungs, I was given six months to live. "I thought that was just not good enough. My sole purpose of doing this [alternative treatment] is my little boy needs me. "My oncologist said he thought my first treatment had given me a reduction in my tumours – I don't know if it's my overall tumours or the tumours he'd specifically treated, but he saw a 10 per cent reduction". Helen set up her GoFundMe page in February 2025 and has raised over £16k towards affording TACE treatment at Frankfurt University Hospital, Germany. The TACE procedure involves having chemotherapy into the blood vessel that feeds the cancer, and then a substance like a gel, or tiny beads are injected to block the blood supply. The treatment is currently only offered to patients on the NHS that have primary liver cancer. Helen has flown out to Frankfurt twice already in March and April for the treatment and says her German doctor is "pleased" with the results so far. She said: "It's the biggest hospital in Frankfurt, and I have to do my own flights and hotel. "Last week I came back from my second visit. "So far he's really pleased with the results, and it's started to work on my tumours. I've got three little tumours on my scalp, and I can already see they've gone down. "I'm set to go again in May, but I'm only going to be able to afford another time once more. It's really hard on me, but I don't want to stop doing this if it's got the potential to save my life. "TACE is only at the stage where they use it on liver cancer in the UK. Going here [to Frankfurt] and having this treatment us unbelievable. "I'm hoping a few months I'll feel better. I don't know how much is possible for me, but I'm hoping I have the potential to get clear. "It's really important to raise the funds to keep going." Helen urges all women to "advocate" for themselves. A mum had negative smear tests for years before her devastating diagnosis (Image: SWNS ) She said: "Have your smear tests. Not all cervical cancer is the same, and if there is a test available, have them. "Regardless of the smear test, you should have them and if you have any concerns research, look it up online, and go and get help. "The smear test is different now to what I had. The smear I was having were looking for cells on the outside of the cervix, but the smear test now is looking for HPV. "If the test comes back negative still go and get checked and ask the questions. I think you know your own body better than anyone else. If I'd have waited and not persevered and pushed, goodness knows what would have happened". The NHS offers advice on their website for people thinking about having treatment abroad: "If you're thinking about having medical treatment in another country, it's important to understand how it works and the risks involved. "If you do not follow the correct procedures, you may have to pay the full costs of your treatment. "You should discuss your plans with a GP before making any final decisions about travel or medical arrangements. Article continues below "Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) does not cover going abroad for planned medical treatments. An EHIC or GHIC is for 'necessary healthcare' from state services when you're visiting the EU and Switzerland. "Necessary healthcare means healthcare that becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you're back in the UK to get it. You should also ensure you have adequate travel insurance."
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
'My tests all came back negative - then doctors found 16 tumours inside me'
Helen says she is determined to hold on to life so the sake of her little boy A mum had negative smear tests her whole life before discovering she had a rare cervical cancer that's not picked up on them. Helen Swan, 54, suffered from weight loss, extreme fatigue and vaginal bleeding from 2017 to 2019. Despite checks like smear tests coming back negative, Helen's symptoms got "worse and worse". Helen underwent an examination with her GP - which revealed tumours in her vagina - and she had a biopsy in October 2019. In November 2019, she was finally diagnosed with endocervical adenocarcinoma - a type of cervical cancer that originates in the inner lining of the cervix. The cancer was stage two B, meaning it was "locally advanced" and Helen says it had the "potential" of being curative, but scans in November 2021 revealed it had spread. Doctors discovered 16 tumours in Helen's lungs and she was given six months to live. Refusing the option of palliative chemotherapy on the NHS and chose to 'put it on hold', Helen instead looking into alternative treatments. She explored over-the-counter supplements, diet changes and mistletoe therapy - using extracts from the plant as a complementary cancer treatment. In December 2024, Helen was told her cancer had spread further to her scalp after an MRI scan, with a further full body scan revealing it had spread to her spine, jaw, thyroid, liver and bones. Doctors advised Helen to undergo palliative chemotherapy, but there was 'no guarantee it would slow the spread' of her cancer. She explored alternative options and found a clinic in Germany that offers Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) treatment - which is currently used by the NHS to treat primary liver cancer but was not offered to Helen whose cancer originated elsewhere and is also secondary. The TACE treatment involves injecting chemotherapy directly into tumours to "kill them" and costs £4k per session. Helen has undergone two sessions and is now raising money to fly out there for the third time after being "pleased" with the results. Mum-of-three Helen, a former primary school teacher and artist, from Aberdeen, Scotland, said: "I was concerned I might have cervical cancer because I was bleeding so much. "I have never had a positive smear test. The cancer I have was not picked up on the smears because it tests for cancerous cells on the outside of the cervix. My cancer originated on the inside of my cervix. 'If I was having a smear test and it had grown down to the outside of the cervix it would have picked it up. I was eventually diagnosed after I had gone to the GP and said I felt like I was dying because I was bleeding so much. 'They examined me and gave me a biopsy as well of what they could, but they said they struggled taking it because I was bleeding so much. The tumours were so vascular if they had cut into them, I would have bled a lot. 'The whole thing was really hard and traumatic. I could see the look on their faces. After the scan revealed the tumours in my lungs, I was given six months to live. I thought that was just not good enough. "My sole purpose of doing this (alternative treatment) is my little boy needs me. My oncologist said he thought my first treatment had given me a reduction in my tumours – I don't know if it's my overall tumours or the tumours he'd specifically treated, but he saw a 10 per cent reduction'. Helen set up her GoFundMe page in February 2025 and has raised over £16k towards affording TACE treatment at Frankfurt University Hospital, Germany. TACE is a procedure that involves having chemotherapy into the blood vessel that feeds the cancer, and then a substance like a gel, or tiny beads are injected to block the blood supply. The treatment is currently only offered to patients on the NHS that have primary liver cancer. Helen has flown out to Frankfurt twice already in March and April for the treatment and says her German doctor is "pleased" with the results so far. She said: "It's the biggest hospital in Frankfurt, and I have to do my own flights and hotel. Last week I came back from my second visit. "So far he's really pleased with the results, and it's started to work on my tumours. I've got three little tumours on my scalp, and I can already see they've gone down. "I'm set to go again in May, but I'm only going to be able to afford another time once more. It's really hard on me, but I don't want to stop doing this if it's got the potential to save my life. TACE is only at the stage where they use it on liver cancer in the UK. "Going to Frankfurt and having this treatment us unbelievable. I'm hoping that, in a few months, I'll feel better. I don't know how much is possible for me, but I'm hoping I have the potential to get clear. It's really important to raise the funds to keep going." Helen urges all women to "advocate" for themselves. She said: "Have your smear tests. Not all cervical cancer is the same, and if there is a test available, have them. 'Regardless of the smear test, you should have them and if you have any concerns research, look it up online, and go and get help. The smear test is different now to what I had. 'The smear I was having were looking for cells on the outside of the cervix, but the smear test now is looking for HPV. If the test comes back negative still go and get checked and ask the questions. 'I think you know your own body better than anyone else. If I'd have waited and not persevered and pushed, goodness knows what would have happened'. The NHS offers advice on their website for people thinking about having treatment abroad: "If you're thinking about having medical treatment in another country, it's important to understand how it works and the risks involved. 'If you do not follow the correct procedures, you may have to pay the full costs of your treatment. You should discuss your plans with a GP before making any final decisions about travel or medical arrangements. 'Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) does not cover going abroad for planned medical treatments. An EHIC or GHIC is for "necessary healthcare" from state services when you're visiting the EU and Switzerland. "Necessary healthcare means healthcare that becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you're back in the UK to get it. You should also ensure you have adequate travel insurance'.
North Wales Live
06-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to debut deeply moving Garden at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is preparing to reveal a profoundly touching show garden at BBC Gardeners' World Live in June 2025. The charity's Medicinal Garden is designed as a living homage to the lifesaving work of the charity and its positive influence on patients' recovery, making it more than just a source of horticultural inspiration. The garden will be showcased at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025, scheduled to take place at the NEC in Birmingham from June 12-15. It has been designed by Lucy Chapman and Helen Swan, and will be constructed by renowned Pershore-based landscaper Rupert Keys. Emma Gray, Chief Operating Officer for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, expressed her pride in being part of BBC Gardeners' World Live this year and is looking forward to welcoming visitors and supporters in June. The charity is most recognised for providing treatment through their rapid response helicopters and critical care cars. This is why, Emma explains, their Medicinal Garden emphasises emotional recovery. "Our Medicinal Garden places emotional recovery at its heart, acknowledging that for many patients, survivors, families, and crew, the impact trauma and medical emergencies have on patients,' she said. "The garden was never just about beauty," added co-designer Helen Swan. "It's about honesty. We have created a space that acknowledges patients' trauma, yet also reflects the strength that can be drawn from life-changing experiences and the role nature can play in rebuilding lives. " "People often underestimate how healing it can be to simply sit among trees and feel the sun warming a bench. After trauma, that connection with the outdoors can be transformational." Visitors to the eagerly awaited BBC Gardeners' World Live event, which draws in over 90,000 attendees, will be welcomed into the immersive show garden. They'll follow a winding path that gently slices between two rising mounds, symbolising the journey from crisis to tranquillity. Seating areas situated at the heart of the journey provide spots for visitors to pause and reflect. Native trees border the garden, filtering views and offering a sense of protection and perspective. Lucy Chapman, a fellow designer, commented: "For us, the garden reflects not just Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's emergency response, but our understanding of the emotional recovery that follows. "The feedback we hear from those the service has helped is often about small things, being able to walk again, hear birdsong, and feel rooted in life once more. The garden embodies this." After its debut at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025, parts of the garden will be permanently moved to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's airbase and charity headquarters in Shifnal, Shropshire at a later date. To support the charity's lifesaving work or learn more, visit or join the conversation by following the charity on social media.
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to debut deeply moving Garden at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is preparing to reveal a profoundly touching show garden at BBC Gardeners' World Live in June 2025. The charity's Medicinal Garden is designed as a living homage to the lifesaving work of the charity and its positive influence on patients' recovery, making it more than just a source of horticultural inspiration. The garden will be showcased at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025, scheduled to take place at the NEC in Birmingham from June 12-15. It has been designed by Lucy Chapman and Helen Swan, and will be constructed by renowned Pershore-based landscaper Rupert Keys. Emma Gray, Chief Operating Officer for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, expressed her pride in being part of BBC Gardeners' World Live this year and is looking forward to welcoming visitors and supporters in June. The charity is most recognised for providing treatment through their rapid response helicopters and critical care cars. This is why, Emma explains, their Medicinal Garden emphasises emotional recovery. "Our Medicinal Garden places emotional recovery at its heart, acknowledging that for many patients, survivors, families, and crew, the impact trauma and medical emergencies have on patients,' she said. (Image: Midlands Air Ambulance) "The garden was never just about beauty," added co-designer Helen Swan. "It's about honesty. We have created a space that acknowledges patients' trauma, yet also reflects the strength that can be drawn from life-changing experiences and the role nature can play in rebuilding lives. " "People often underestimate how healing it can be to simply sit among trees and feel the sun warming a bench. After trauma, that connection with the outdoors can be transformational." Visitors to the eagerly awaited BBC Gardeners' World Live event, which draws in over 90,000 attendees, will be welcomed into the immersive show garden. They'll follow a winding path that gently slices between two rising mounds, symbolising the journey from crisis to tranquillity. Seating areas situated at the heart of the journey provide spots for visitors to pause and reflect. Native trees border the garden, filtering views and offering a sense of protection and perspective. (Image: Midlands Air Ambulance) Lucy Chapman, a fellow designer, commented: "For us, the garden reflects not just Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's emergency response, but our understanding of the emotional recovery that follows. "The feedback we hear from those the service has helped is often about small things, being able to walk again, hear birdsong, and feel rooted in life once more. The garden embodies this." After its debut at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2025, parts of the garden will be permanently moved to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's airbase and charity headquarters in Shifnal, Shropshire at a later date. To support the charity's lifesaving work or learn more, visit or join the conversation by following the charity on social media.
