Mother Faces Cervical Cancer Battle After Partner's Tragic Death
A mother of two young children has been diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer following a year of undiagnosed symptoms that began shortly after her partner's death. Tasmin Rubin, 32, from Bourne in Lincolnshire, is now undergoing aggressive treatment at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge while caring for her sons Ethan, 10, and Parker, nine.
Delayed Diagnosis and Missed Symptoms
The diagnosis came after twelve months of persistent pelvic pain and eight months of repeated visits to her GP. Tasmin first noticed concerning changes in her symptoms in February of last year, including unusual discharge, irregular bleeding, and constant urinary tract infections. Despite undergoing a smear test in March that revealed HPV presence with normal cells, her symptoms continued unabated.
"I am so angry that my symptoms were not linked," Tasmin expressed. "I kept having symptoms throughout which should have meant an immediate referral to hospital. I am now on a cancer pathway, but it should not take someone dying to put these plans in place."
Medical History and Current Treatment
Tasmin had previously been diagnosed with stage four endometriosis after her youngest son's birth, a condition that left her bladder, bowel, and womb fused together. She was awaiting a hysterectomy when the new symptoms emerged. Despite blood tests in September showing high inflammatory markers, doctors initially reassured her there was no cancer present.
Her persistence finally led to a proper diagnosis just before Christmas. "It shouldn't have got to this and now I am having aggressive treatment," she stated, noting that earlier detection might have allowed for less invasive surgical options.
Treatment Complications and Family Support
The cancer treatment has presented significant challenges. Tasmin experienced severe side effects from chemotherapy, including a life-threatening reaction that required a week's hospitalization at Peterborough City Hospital. "In that second I thought I was going to die. My throat closed up and my face swelled up and was red all over," she recalled.
Following this reaction, her treatment has shifted to radiotherapy. Throughout this ordeal, Tasmin maintains a positive mindset, supported by friends and family who help care for her children. The family is receiving bereavement counseling following the death of Tasmin's partner Lee Davies in July 2024, and financial assistance through a fundraising page that has raised over £1,500 to cover living costs and hospital travel expenses.
Advocacy for Improved Testing Procedures
After completing her treatment, Tasmin plans to launch a petition advocating for changes to HPV testing protocols in the UK. She points to American medical practices where patients testing positive for HPV types 16 and 18—responsible for 70% of cervical cancers according to National Institute of Health statistics—receive immediate referrals for colposcopy examinations.
"In America they test for HPV 16 and 18 and the patient is immediately referred for a colposcopy," Tasmin explained. "Here you are sent for a repeat smear in a year and it was a year before I was referred. I will find some way that it happens in this country - how many lives would it save?"
Despite the challenges, Tasmin remains determined. "If I got us all through losing their dad, then I can get through this no problem," she affirmed, drawing strength from having already navigated the profound loss of her partner just a year before her cancer diagnosis.
