Vicky Phelan reveals her cancer has progressed

CERVICAL CONTROL CAMPAIGN Vicky Phelan has revealed that she has developed a new tumor for the first time in more than two years.

In a series of tweets tonight, Ms Phelan said she developed a new 3mm tumor in her lung, in addition to the growth in three tumors.

“I knew this day would come and that Pembro would stop keeping all my tumors at bay. BUT I am so glad I fought for Pembro. It has given me almost 3 years of a quality of life that I would never have expected with chemotherapy. Thanks Pembro, ”he said about the drug pembrolizumab.

Ms. Phelan was diagnosed with terminal cancer after previously receiving a false negative smear test result in 2018.

Ms. Phelan said she is actively researching her options at this time, but “aside from bouts of extreme tiredness at times, I am very lucky not to report any other symptoms at this time.”

“I will continue to campaign with 221plus for a Court that meets the needs of women and families,” she said of the CervicalCheck Court, whose establishment has been criticized for not interacting with members of Group 221+.

Ms. Phelan and others from Group 221+, which was established to support women and families identified as a result of the CervicalCheck scandal, said last week that the Health Department had originally agreed to stop the establishment of the court to allow it to interact with the members. of the group.

However, that “promise was broken” and a statutory order establishing the Tribunal was signed, effectively initiating the Tribunal last Tuesday.

The Department confirmed that the order had been signed and that it could not be reversed.

Speaking during an interview on RTÉ Radio 1’s DriveTime tonight, Ms Phelan said that while the campaign helps keep her mind busy, as soon as the court issue is resolved, she will have to step back and focus on her own health.

“My cancer never went away, it just stayed stable, that’s all. What happened in the last two weeks is that I have a new tumor, “he said.

Unfortunately, there is no cure, all I do is buy time.

“I said when I started campaigning in April 2018, I wanted something good to come out of this, and this [a tribunal] it would be good for women and families. A court suitable for women and families, which is what it is intended for.

“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.”

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

“Listen to our concerns and address 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 it will fail these women a second time. ”