I Have Stage 4 Cervical Cancer at 31 — Male Doctors Dismissed My Symptoms as ‘Just My Period’
A Mom’s Harrowing Experience with Misdiagnosis
Charley Jayne Law, 31, began bleeding clots the size of her “palms” but was dismissed by male doctors on multiple visits to a London hospital over two months. She was eventually referred to gynecology at King’s College Hospital and was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer in January 2025, after a number of blood tests, transfusions, and iron tests.
Charley Jayne Law / SWNS
The Dismissal and Delay in Diagnosis
Charley, a full-time mom from Sydenham, London, said: “I was bleeding clots the size of my palms. I attended hospital multiple times between September and December 2024 and was fobbed off with ‘it’s just your period’ by multiple male doctors who didn’t even do the basics of an examination.”
Charley Jayne Law / SWNS
The Consequences of Misdiagnosis
Charley was so unwell she had to be admitted as an inpatient and had to make the hard decision to put her children into emergency foster care. “The news on January 27 tore my world apart,” she said. “My body was on the verge of giving up as during this entire time I was still a mom. I was still doing the school runs, I was still dealing with my toddler by myself, the housework, the appointments and scans, and everything in between — despite begging for help from social services, the kid’s school, and anyone that would help.”
The Road to Diagnosis
Law was eventually referred to gynecology at King’s College Hospital and was diagnosed in January 2025, after a number of blood tests, transfusions, and iron tests. “The moment she did the examination, not even 10 seconds into it, I knew there was something seriously wrong – she had a really bad poker face,” Charley said.
Charley Jayne Law / SWNS
Current Situation and Future Plans
Charley is slowly gaining weight and hopes to start chemotherapy in the coming weeks, but says her kids are struggling to understand why she can’t come home. “Both of my boys have additional needs which makes this ten times harder as they struggle to understand why mommy simply can’t just come home,” she said. “And my daughter is still a baby that wants her mommy.”
Fundraiser and Support
A fundraiser was set up by a family member, Julie Mullan, with the funds going towards a holiday for Charley and her children to allow them to have “memories to look back on.” Julie, 47, from Sidcup, said: “It’s destroyed her. All she’s saying at the moment is she wants to stay alive as long as possible for her babies. All we want this fundraiser to do is allow her to make memories for her and her kids. We just want to get them on holiday and allow them to be able to do things.”
Conclusion
Charley’s story is a testament to the importance of proper medical care and attention, particularly for women. Her experience highlights the need for healthcare providers to take symptoms seriously and conduct thorough examinations, rather than dismissing them as “just your period.” Charley’s journey is far from over, but with the support of her family and the community, she hopes to make the most of the time she has left with her children.
FAQs
* What is Charley’s current condition?
Charley has stage 4 cervical cancer and is undergoing treatment.
* How old is Charley?
Charley is 31 years old.
* What is the current status of Charley’s children?
Charley’s children, who have additional needs, are currently in emergency foster care.
* How can I support Charley and her family?
You can support Charley’s family through a fundraiser set up by Julie Mullan: https://www.gofundme.com/f/julie-mullan
* What is the goal of the fundraiser?
The goal of the fundraiser is to allow Charley and her children to have a holiday and create memories to look back on.
