'Covid has a lot to answer for': Bride-to-be with cervical cancer says pandemic delayed diagnosis

A bride-to-be battling stage 2 cervical cancer says her diagnosis was delayed due to Covid.

Lauren Orbell, known as Lolly, 34, says she should have had a smear test in July 2020. But she didn't get an invite until November 2021.

Lolly says she 'may never really know when the cancer started', but fears that previous smears failed to pick it up.

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In July 2019, while living in London, she suffered an abnormal bleed but was told it was nothing to worry about. And in 2013 she was told a test had returned abnormalities, but that they were linked to a previous diagnosis of HPV.

Lolly, who plans to get married in April, and lives in Middleton, said: "Covid has a lot to answer for," she says, "I didn't feel I was getting the right care through my doctor.

"Throughout Covid the service I got from doctors has been appalling.

"I had all these symptoms, but nothing was being recognised and they weren't willing to get me in for testing.

"I kept trying to self diagnose, I asked if I could be tested for fibroids or endometriosis.

"I went for a scan and an ultrasound but all I really needed to have was a smear.

"I was very upset when I was diagnosed but I feel angry too.

"Everything was put on hold during Covid - which caused a lot of extra suffering."

Lolly, who works in e-commerce and has a vintage clothing business, said the cancer has spread but says she is hesitant about radiotherapy and chemotherapy, fears losing her fertility, and would prefer alternatives.

She said: "I don't want either if I can avoid them.

"I am pretty against what the NHS has to offer as it seems pretty barbaric and outdated."

Jane Pilkington, interim director of population