Vicky Phelan is to take a break from Cervical Check scandal campaigning from today. She confirmed on Twitter that the lack of empathy shown towards her and others affected has influenced this decision.
She opened up about her choice in a series of tweets. The mum explained: “I am deeply disturbed by the lack of empathy in some quarters towards the women & families affected by the scandal.”
Vicky said people have accused her of ‘bringing down the cervical screening programme’, but stated that she would have found out about her cancer sooner if her smear test was read correctly.
I WANT a screening programme that I can trust. I have a daughter that I will be leaving behind. So get off your high horses and help me to change and to ensure that we have a screening programme that we CAN trust.
— Vicky Phelan (@PhelanVicky) July 31, 2018
The mum stressed that she never missed a smear test and never had an abnormal smear test until she was diagnosed in July 2014 with invasive cervical cancer.
“I found out three years later, in September 2017, that a smear from 2011, which was originally read as No Abnormality Detected' was, when audited, full of cancer.”
On the way home from the @Womans_Way Mum of the Year Awards #motya18. My Mam and I had a fantastic afternoon being spoiled and pampered. Thank you Áine, @NorahCasey and the WW team for inviting me as one of your Ambassadors. pic.twitter.com/JBvtkIqNY9
— Vicky Phelan (@PhelanVicky) July 20, 2018
Vicky firmly stands by the point that if her smear test was read correctly in 2011 she would “only have had to have a hysterectomy and would have had a 90 percent chance of being cured.”
The mum said she wouldn’t be fighting for her life today if the test was read correctly: “Forgive me if I am angry and upset and fighting for change.”
Vicky has called for an improved screening programme. “I have a daughter that I will be leaving behind. Get off your high horses and help me to change and to ensure that we have a screening programme that we can trust.”