Vulval Cancer: action was needed sooner By Heather Campbell

My name is Heather Campbell .
I suffered with extreme itching and discomfort in my vulval area for about five years and was treated for a number of things including a fungal infection and vaginal atrophy but not correctly for Lichen Sclerosus. Eventually following my own onlineresearch I went to the GP in February 2017 with the question ‘Is it Lichen Sclerosus?’ Following a further two GP visits and at my insistence I was referred to a Gynaecologist in May 2017. Straight away she was able to diagnose a severe case of LS and requested a biopsy as she had some concerns regarding one area. In July 2017 following the biopsy at the age of 59 I was diagnosed with Vulval cancer. I underwent two surgeries to remove tumours which included the removal of my clitoris and all my groin lymph nodes.
I will always wonder what would have happened if I had the LS identified sooner and started treatment would the cancer have been prevented? If I was aware of Vulval cancer before maybe I would have taken action sooner.
Of course I was shocked and upset when I received the diagnosis but the hardest thing was sharing the news with my four children. Telling my son on the phone in Australia that not only would I not be visiting but I had cancer was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
Fortunately having undergone the surgery I am now 9 months cancer free. However my scars and structural changes and the fear of developing lymphodema are a daily reminder of my journey.​