Woman diagnosed with vulval cancer after thinking she just had thrush

A 49-year-old Brit is currently in the midst of a battle with stage 3 vulval cancer, after misdiagnosing herself with a yeast infection.

Pippa Sharp began suffering a number of symptoms of the common infection to her intimate area in August 2022 - including a painful, solid spot on her left labia.

She ignored the lump for five months before giving in and visiting her local surgery.

Even her GP was convinced during a routine check-up in January 2023 that she was simply struggling with thrush - an infection caused by overgrowth of the Candida fungus, which lives in the body.

Despite suggesting that it could be a cyst, and mentioning cancer, Pippa's doctor subsequently supplied her with antibiotics.

When the uncomfortable spot failed to disappear four days later, she became increasingly concerned about the dreaded c-word.

"I’m really cautious with health stuff, so I looked at the NHS website because I knew it was trustworthy," she said.

"I had each and every one of the symptoms listed under ‘vulval cancer’ - from bloody discharge to persistent itching."

The Leeds woman was convicted she was battling recurring thrush (SWNS)

After further investigation by a consultant, the former brand innovation and awards co-ordinator was referred for a biopsy, which initially indicated that she was actually suffering with stage 1 vulval cancer.

Whilst a terrifying diagnosis, the worst was yet to come for Pippa.

Focussing on her genitalia, the biopsy had failed to pick up on a number of cancerous lymph nodes residing in her groin, which had spread from her vulva. This meant that her cancer was, in fact, at stage 3.

"They removed the tumour, and took some lymph node samples to see if the cancer had spread," the Leeds-born woman explained.

"They found it had spread to lymph nodes around my groin.

"I was then told I had stage 3a cancer - I didn’t want to ask about the prognosis, or survival rates."

In the months that followed, Pippa underwent 50 rounds of radiotherapy to remove the mass, as well as five rounds of chemo.

Tragically, however, she's now in the midst of a relapse, after feeling her labia had swollen again in January 2024.

She was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer (SWNS)

"I spoke to the oncology nurses at my appointment with the consultant," she explained.

"They were so helpful, suggesting a number of things it could’ve been. But, I knew in my heart the cancer was back."

A month later, it was confirmed that the disease had spread to her right labia, and to her 'back passage'.

In March of last year, she underwent surgery to have part of her right labia taken away, and was booked in for further treatment in June.

"I was told I’d need 30 radiotherapy sessions and five more chemo sessions," Pippa recalled.

"We went ahead with the paperwork, I went to see her again at the planning scan."

Despite several successful rounds of both radio and chemotherapy, she is reluctant to think about the future.

One aspect Pippa finds particularly devastating about her diagnosis are the gut-wrenching taboos that come alongside this specific strain of the disease, claiming it was something she had to force herself to come to terms with.

"I was embarrassed about vulval cancer at first - but now, I can’t shut up about it," she admitted.

Pippa is now spreading the word on the symptoms of vulval cancer (SWNS)

"It’s a rare cancer - but that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t know about it. This affects more than women over 55 - mandatory checks should be offered alongside the smear."

She added of her new mission to get more and more people discussing vulval cancer.

"It’s become a real focus of mine to get the word out there, while I'm waiting for the news,” she said.

“We talk so much about how we need to check our breasts. But we should be checking our vulvas regularly, too.

"It’s a quick check when you go to the toilet, or when you’re laying in bed."

Pippa continued: "Feel around for soreness, lumps and bumps - note if you find any unusual discharge.

"Always go to see your GP if you’re worried. You may be embarrassed for a few moments, but that 10-minute appointment could be the difference between finding it’s nothing - or catching cancer early."