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CervicalCheck cancer activist Vicky Phelan has confirmed her diagnosis with a new tumor while campaigning for the government to address the issues raised by those affected by the CervicalCheck Court.
This follows last week’s controversy, as the court was formally established by legal order on Tuesday morning, despite the fact that representatives of Group 221+, created to support women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal , received assurances that their work was paused amid consultations.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Drivetime today, Ms. Phelan said that she has chosen to continue her campaign despite her health as she wants “something good” to come out of her situation.
“This would be a good thing: for women and families to get a court that is suitable for women and families, which is what it is intended for,” she said.
Ms Phelan, who was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer after she was given a false negative smear test, said her cancer had been stable until she was diagnosed with a new lung tumor in the last weeks.
“I have a new tumor, the first time I have a new tumor in two and a half years,” he said.
“This is a disease that affects very young women with young families, and all these women are leaving behind young children, or in some cases, women who have not had the opportunity to have a family,” she said of the women impacted by the Court.
“Why wouldn’t I try my best to try to help so many women who can’t go through what I’m going through? It’s as simple as that.”
Reappearance
Limerick’s mother met with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly last Monday, along with other representatives from the 221+ Patient Support Group.
“The minister gave us assurances on Monday … we had a meeting of almost two hours with him, who would take a break in court,” Ms Phelan said.
“It was very, very disappointing for us that the order was placed and it could not be stopped.”
Ms Phelan said that a changed legal landscape in the wake of the March 2020 ruling on the Ruth Morrissey case was an issue raised by the 221+ group in relation to the Court.
Following this ruling, the group requests that the laboratories where the CervicalCheck smears are processed not join as co-defendants in the Court, but rather appoint themselves as third parties.
The group is also calling for the current court structure to be modified so that any woman whose cancer returns can return to claim additional costs.
I often wonder if I’m spending all my time doing this when I really could, should I be spending it with my children.
“We know from cervical cancer … that if it comes back, you know, it’s fatal,” he said.
“I mean we’ve seen it with Ruth Morrissey, we’ve seen it with Emma Mhic Mhathuna, I’m going to see it, you know, my cancer is back and I’m literally buying time,” he said.
“I’m going to die, I know, so we know that this is a cancer that women won’t survive if it comes back, and that’s all we’re asking for, is to allow those women who are taking cases that are currently cancer-free and they’re in remission, so they can come back if their cancer comes back. “
Ireland
Vicky Phelan feels ‘betrayed’ by CervicalCheck tri …
When asked how she continues to campaign amid the personal challenge of her illness, Ms Phelan said it had been difficult over the past few weeks.
“I often wonder if I’m spending all my time doing this when I really could, should I, spending it with my kids, what if I only have another 12 months or less and I’m going to regret it?” He said.
“But you don’t really know… I’m really sorry about this… and I still feel good, that’s the point.
“To be honest, as soon as this Court matter is resolved, I’ll probably have to start taking a step back and focusing on my own health.”
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