After an NHS GP dismissed early signs of cancer as side effects of ‘the pill’- a text saved my life

A young woman has spoken about how a single text message saved her life after an NHS GP missed the early signs of breast cancer.

Romilly Smith, from London, went to her NHS GP in September 2021 as she was experiencing discharge from her nipples. 

But the 33-year-old claimed the doctor did not check her over and instead said: ‘You’re really young, it’s just because you’re on the pill.’

However, a few months later she received her regular text message from the charity CoppaFeel, reminding her to check her breasts. 

Romilly then checked herself and found a lump in her breast and two months after her appointment, she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer in November 2021.

Speaking about the GP, Romilly told FEMAIL: ‘[I felt] incredibly, incredibly frustrated and upset because if I hadn’t checked, I might not be here today. 

‘That’s definitely scary to be let down in that way, especially when you put your trust in doctors and health professionals.

‘I feel lucky that I checked and found the lump myself because I might not be here talking to you right now.

‘The text message is genuinely what saved my life because I was just getting those texts randomly because I had signed up one day.’ 

She has since registered with a new GP and does not see the one who she claims missed her cancer anymore.

Romilly believes everyone should push medical professionals if they feel like something is wrong with their body.

She said: ‘It’s best to think you’re a bit of a hypochondriac or that you’re fussing at your doctor, and survive than to [think] I better not push or I’m too scared to do that.

‘I think often, especially as women, we’re made to feel like [like we are] overreacting because I found this nipple discharge, but actually, I had cancer.’

She said the GP practice did a full three month investigation into her case and organised them to have training in women’s health afterwards.

Romilly, who has been cancer-free since July 2022, recalled the moment she was told that she had the disease.

The producer said she ‘froze up’ and added that she still has not fully processed that she battled cancer. 

Romilly (pictured before being diagnosed with cancer) said symptoms such as hot flushes and a loss of sex drive have impacted her life

Romilly (pictured during her cancer treatment) said she changed her GP after they missed her cancer diagnosis and urged others to push doctors if they feel like something is wrong

Romilly (pictured during her cancer treatment) said she feels lucky that she checked her breasts after getting a message as she said she may have not ‘been here today’

‘It’s kind of pure disbelief. I went into my meeting thinking that I was just going to pop into the hospital and they were going to say it was just a cyst,’ she said. 

‘But it was that pure shock of ‘what the f***, I can’t believe this is happening’ basically.’

As Covid restrictions were in place at the time, the hospital told her not to bring anyone to the appointment, but Romilly requested that her mother be there with her. 

‘Thank God [she was there]. If I had listened to them, I would have been there finding out that information on my own, which is pretty horrendous. I know a lot of other people went through that as well,’ she added.

She went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had lumpectomy surgery over the course of 10 months.

Romilly said that doctors were quick to start treatment but Romilly said that medics did not inform her about what it would mean for the future, as she is currently experiencing menopause in her early thirties. 

Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels and it usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. 

She said: ‘It’s almost like we do the chemo and then the next step and it’s not really until after your surgery that they [tell you] to take these tablets for the next five to ten years. 

Romilly is pictured in hospital during her treatment for breast cancer in 2022 after finding a lump 

She went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had lumpectomy surgery over the course of 10 months

The 33-year-old producer from London is experiencing menopause symptoms after beating cancer 

Romilly said she was glad that her mother was able to be there in the appointment with her so that they could process the diagnosis together 

‘You get told the good news and then you’ve got all this to face. A lot of people think the journey stops when your hair has grown back and you’re not in an illness phase but there’s a lot they don’t necessarily see.’

A month after her diagnosis, Romilly decided to freeze her eggs before going for chemotherapy in January 2022, which lasted around four months. 

Before starting chemo, she began taking Letrozole, a daily tablet, and Zoladex, a monthly injection, together. 

Doctors say it is unclear whether her body is going through menopause or whether it is medically induced and she is just experiencing symptoms. 

‘We don’t know if my ovaries survived chemo. We won’t know until I either take a break or at the end of my five to ten years on medication,’ she said.

‘They say it’ll cause hot flushes but they don’t really talk about what that means. It feels so isolating because your mum’s friends and older women [understand] what those hot flushes are like and that’s your only reference point. 

‘But I’m 33 now, this is my prime time to think about babies, my life and my sex life. You think, who can I talk to about this?’

Romilly believes she experienced menopausal symptoms during her treatment but only realised it after she was cancer free.  

According to the Menopause and Cancer organisation, cancer treatment triggers permanent menopause for 40 per cent of women under 40 and between 70 to 90 per cent of women over 40. 

Romilly said symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and a loss of sex drive have impacted her life.

She experiences an ‘awful crawling, creeping sensation’ through her body whenever a hot flush is about to come on.  

‘They really make you feel sick and sometimes a bit dizzy and then it’s an intense burning mainly in my cheeks. 

‘That’s definitely the worst one because obviously at nighttime, it gets even worse and then you then lose sleep.

‘The vaginal dryness is a difficult one because that means you’re getting cystitis or you’re having problems with having sex.

‘Generally, libido has been a big one for me. Losing that, at my age, generally is pretty awful. 

‘I was in a new relationship, just as this was all happening. So in a way, it was quite good, because he came along on that journey with me. 

‘He’s amazing, super understanding and brilliant with it but obviously, it comes with its own issues as well.’

Romilly said losing her libido in her thirties has been a big thing for her, but her partner is ‘super understanding’

The organisation also says that 88 per cent of women in their community have said they have not had any support in helping them manage menopause after cancer.

Romilly said: ‘[It feels like] you’re in a no man’s land between your GP, your oncology team, who [say] you’re cancer free so you’re not really [their] problem anymore. 

‘Then the GPs are scared to do anything without the oncology team, so it feels bit like where do I go? ‘

She is receiving therapy to help her navigate her thoughts and feelings about the process but has also praised the Menopause and Cancer charity’s podcast because it made her feel ‘less alone’ with her situation. 

When asked what advice she had for those who have just been diagnosed with cancer, Romilly said: ‘Definitely lean on your nearest and dearest, as much as you can, and build that little support network around yourself. 

‘Take it day by day, hour by hour, if you need to. Try to not focus too much on the bigger picture. [Think] what do I have to do today? I have to walk the end of the road and just set yourself those little small wins every day. 

‘Try not to focus too much on [asking the questions] “Oh god, what’s going to happen? Will my treatment work?”.’

For those going through early menopause or experiencing these symptoms, she said to research and find the resources that work for you and take advantage of the services that the hospital provides. 

• Not-for-profit Menopause and Cancer offers free resources and practical support for women going through menopause after cancer. To join our community, visit www.menopauseandcancer.org and listen to The Menopause and Cancer Podcast.