A WOMAN diagnosed with womb cancer after two years of intense pain is raising awareness of the disease.

Lisa Marie Ball, of Pritchard Street, Blackburn, had to have the drastic step of having a hysterectomy to remove the cancer – meaning she will never be able to have children.

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But she said she is lucky to be here and wants to use her story to spread awareness of the little-known form of cancer.

Customer service advisor Lisa, 38, said: “A lot of people aren’t aware of it. It’s not detectable through smear tests and it took me two years to be diagnosed.

“I had a lot of problem periods and bleeding in between. I also had a lot of pelvic pain which was excruciating at times. It was almost every day. Doctors prescribed me different contraceptive pills, tranexamic acid to treat haemorrhages.

“I couldn’t go out at times. I had to turn down invites to weddings and functions. It was a nightmare.

“I had had internal examinations at the doctors, the Royal Blackburn hospital, and still no one could diagnose me.

“Doctors decided to give me an oblation – which is where they put boiling water into the womb to cauterise it. They took a biopsy. On 25 October 2012, a week later, I was called to Burnley Women’s Centre where I was told I had womb cancer.”

Cancer of the womb is a common cancer that affects the female reproductive system. It’s also called uterine or endometrial cancer.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom.

She said: “They caught it in the early stages and said that this type of cancer can’t be detected through a normal smear. I had to have a full hysterectomy, including my ovaries removed. I was devastated. I thought that was it, but I’m here to tell the tale and I want to make women more aware of it.

“My husband, friends and family have all been very supportive.

“I’m 38 now, but I was 35 at the time and really wanted to have children. It’s a blow knowing that we never will. However, I would rather be here than the alternative.”

Lisa, who is now in remission, said: “I’m hoping that by sharing my story I will help to save some lives.”

Lisa is holding a fundraising and awareness event at the Mill Hill Pub in Blackburn on 19 September starting at 7.30pm.