Vicky Phelan reveals that her cancer is advanced

CERVICALCHECK CAMPAIGN Vicky Phelan announced that she has developed a new tumor for the first time in over two years.

In a series of tweets tonight, Ms. Phelan said she had developed a new 3mm tumor in her lungs in addition to growing three tumors.

“I knew that day would come and that Pembro would stop keeping all of my tumors in check. BUT I’m so glad I fought for Pembro. It has given me almost 3 years of quality of life that I would never have hoped for with chemotherapy. Thank you Pembro, ”she said about the drug pembrolizumab.

Ms. Phelan received an end-stage cancer diagnosis after previously receiving a false negative smear test result in 2018.

Ms. Phelan said she is currently actively researching her options, but “other than occasional bouts of extreme fatigue, I am very fortunate not to report any other symptoms at the moment”.

“I will continue to use the 221plus to promote a tribunal that meets the needs of women and families,” she said of the CervicalCheck Tribunal, whose establishment has been criticized for not dealing with members of the 221+ group.

Ms. Phelan and other members of Group 221+, which was formed to support women and families identified as a result of the CervicalCheck scandal, said last week that the Department of Health initially agreed to stop the establishment of the tribunal to allow members can get in contact from the group.

This “promise was broken” and a legal order to establish the tribunal was signed, effectively starting the tribunal last Tuesday.

The department confirmed that the order had been signed and was irreversible.

During an interview on RTÉ Radio 1’s DriveTime tonight, Ms. Phelan said that as the campaign helps keep her mind occupied, she will need to step back and focus on her own health once the tribunal issue is resolved.

“My cancer was never gone, it was just stable, that’s it. What has happened in the past few weeks is that I have a new tumor, ”she said.

Unfortunately there is no cure, I’m just buying time.

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“I said when I started the campaign in April 2018, I wanted it to turn into something good [a tribunal] would be good for women and families. A tribunal that is suitable and intended for women and families.

“This is a disease that affects very young women with young families, and all of these women leave behind young children, or in some cases women who have not had the opportunity to raise families.”

Ms. Phelan urged Health Secretary Stephen Donnelly and the government to do the right thing for women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal.

“Listen to our concerns and respond to the needs of women and families with grace and compassion. Honor those who have passed away including Ruth, Emma, ​​Orla, Julie and stop the cycle of state protection or you will fail these women a second time. ”