Dayna, United Kingdom

My name is Dayna and when I was 17 I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. I was diagnosed 5 Months after my 17th birthday and a month later I was having a hysterectomy. I count myself as one of the "lucky" ones as my fight didn't have to last long. The doctors were able to remove the tumour and I was out of remission at my 5 year mark from surgery. But I have learnt the fight doesn't end when there is no longer Cancer in the body.  Cancer is a life long illness which affects you physically but also mentally although it doesn't only affect the life of those living with it but also the families and friends of that individual.  I've watched my mum fall apart to the news I had cancer to the news I wouldn't be able to get pregnant. I've had my siblings and friends step on egg shells when it came to them having children as they were worried how I would react to the news. I have had to have the conversation with partners about contraception and how having children would work in the future.  I've had to deal with the aftermath which Cancer left on my body, pains for the adhesions from the surgery, the depression, the anxiety of anything illness or pain which isn't "normal" possibly being Cancer. You end up living in fear of it. I don't want to stand by while other people try and suffer in silence when there is some who understands what they are going through and can be the listening ear they need in this time