A woman left infertile, with a hole in her bladder and forced into early menopause ignored early warning signs of cancer.
Mum-of-one Brooke Gold was told she was just a month away from dying as she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2021.
She is now speaking out keen to warn others not to wait like she did, in a bid to save others from the trauma she suffered.
The 36-year-old said she had always been diligent with going for her smear test - but admitted she had delayed check-ups over the past five years, due to a busy lifestyle and a fear of the result due to a family history of cancer.
If she had delayed her check-up one more month, doctors believe she'd most likely be dead.
In November 2020, after experiencing spotting between her periods, a smear test led to the detection of a four centimetre growth on her cervix.
Brooke has said that since she has been on an emotional and physical rollercoaster during treatment.
In May 2021, the HR manager was told the cancer had advanced to stage four and doctors attempted surgery to save her fertility, but couldn't proceed because it had already spread to her lymph nodes.
She had three weeks of internal radiation and as a result has lost her fertility.
Brooke's also been left with severe radiation damage, including constant pelvic pain, discomfort and menopause.
She told the Daily Mail: "If I had of gone sooner for my pap smear, or if doctors told me when I was having symptoms that I needed a pap smear, I could have avoided cancer and losing my fertility.
"I have a lot of radiation damage aside from just my ovaries 'dying' - I have severe burns inside my pelvis and a hole in my bladder from radiation."
Doctors have told Brooke she has the all clear but is being monitored for the next five years.
She added: "I struggle every day. They don't tell you that when cancer treatments finish, it isn't the end of the fight and in some ways.
"The last 12 months since treatment finished has been just as hard, if not harder than the treatment itself.
"I feel like I am only just now processing the fact I had cancer and almost died."
"One more month and maybe they wouldn't have been able to save my life."
She now shares her story on social media and is keen to warn others.
