Dublin Mother’s Cancer Journey Highlights Urgent Need for Awareness

A mother from Dublin, Suzanne Bermingham, has shared her harrowing experience of being diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 48, highlighting the critical need for medical professionals to listen to patients. Despite persistent symptoms of abnormal bleeding, Suzanne faced significant challenges in getting the attention of healthcare providers, ultimately leading to a shocking diagnosis that has profoundly impacted her life and family.

Suzanne’s journey began in 2022 when she experienced unusual bleeding patterns, including extended and intermittent episodes. This alarming change in her health prompted her to seek medical help. However, her symptoms were often dismissed, attributed instead to her long-term struggles with endometriosis and adenomyosis. “I knew there was something not right, and I had to make people listen,” she explained. “I had to shout from the rafters.”

In June 2022, after enduring months of frustration and health decline, Suzanne underwent a full hysterectomy, which led to the discovery of stage 2 cervical cancer. The diagnosis left her “in shock,” as she had anticipated serious health issues but struggled to be taken seriously by medical professionals.

Cervical cancer primarily affects women aged between 30 and 35, but it can occur at any age. It is mostly caused by an infection from certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Suzanne described her situation as “unlucky,” noting that her cancer only became detectable through a microscopic smear test, failing to show up in previous MRIs.

“My cancer only showed up in a microscopic smear test, which is kind of frightening in itself,” she stated. Following her hysterectomy, further testing revealed that cancerous cells had spread to her lymph nodes, necessitating an additional surgical procedure. “They had to go back in and take half my lymph nodes from my pelvis, which has now left me with lymphoedema,” she said.

The reality of cancer diagnosis in Ireland is stark. According to the Irish Cancer Society, cancer is a major public health issue, with nearly 10,000 deaths annually. Women make up half of the population, yet access to timely healthcare remains a challenge. “We’re just not being seen quickly enough,” Suzanne remarked, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and resources for women’s health issues.

Suzanne’s experience underscores the importance of early detection and patient advocacy. She encourages women to be proactive about their health, stating, “We need early detection. We need to go to the doctor and keep going if we think anything is wrong.”

In the wake of her diagnosis, Suzanne has become an advocate for awareness around gynaecological health. She urges women to break the stigma surrounding discussions about symptoms such as abnormal bleeding. “We just need to stop that stigma. We have to normalize these conversations for our own sake and for our children’s sake,” she said.

As a mother to a 28-year-old daughter, Alanna, and a grandmother, Suzanne’s concerns extend beyond her own health. She is now acutely aware of the genetic factors at play, as doctors found a genetic susceptibility to cervical cancer during her diagnosis. “My worry now is for the genetic part of it—am I passing down anything to my children and her child?” she added.

Suzanne is currently cancer-free and in remission, but she continues to navigate the challenges of post-cancer life. She faces physical limitations due to lymphoedema and finds it difficult to balance work and family responsibilities. “I’m back at work, and the exhaustion of working again and looking after family at home is tough,” she shared.

World Gynaecological Oncology Day, taking place on September 20, 2025, aims to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers and the importance of early detection. As Suzanne points out, “There are 2,000 women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers every year, and it’s increasing, but it’s being detected later.”

Suzanne’s story serves as a call to action for both individuals and the healthcare system. She advocates for better access to specialists and more robust support systems for women facing similar health challenges. By sharing her experience, she hopes to empower others to advocate for their health and ensure that women’s voices are heard in healthcare settings.

In conclusion, the journey of Suzanne Bermingham stands as a testament to the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking timely medical intervention. Her story not only sheds light on the personal impacts of cervical cancer but also emphasizes the urgent need for societal change in how women’s health issues are perceived and addressed.