A mum of five was given the heartbreaking news she had cervical cancer two years after first flagging her symptoms to doctors.
The 40-year-old, who only wanted to be identified as Lisa, claims she first complained to her GP in 2011 after suffering continuous bleeding after the birth of her youngest child.
Lisa, who would also bleed in-between periods, said she was prescribed the contraceptive pill which initially reduced the rate of bleeding.
However when the bleeding returned when she stopped taking the pill and she started to suffer from abdominal pains, she went back to her GP.
Lisa, who has recently also become a grandmother, said: "After I gave birth to my son, I was constantly bleeding – having had four children already, I knew that a heavy period straight after birth was normal, but this went on longer and I knew it wasn't right.
"But when I spoke to my doctor and explained it had been happening for a while, I was simply put on the pill in the hope that this would help.
"While it did ease the bleeding at first, it started back up as soon as I stopped taking it. I kept going back to my GP, seeing three different doctors there in total, on many occasions. I just wasn't being listened to."
Lisa said she was given medication designed to treat heavy periods after noticing she was passing 'clots the size of a fist'.
She also began suffering from severe headaches, blurred vision and nausea, with doctors diagnosing anaemia and advising iron tablets.
A routine smear in April 2012 was also unable to go ahead due to Lisa's bleeding.
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She added: "Each time, I was advised to either change my pill, given treatment for heavy periods or told I had fibroids – but at no point was cancer even mentioned."
Following a subsequent examination by a consultant gynaecologist – more than a year after her first appointment with her GP – a 6cm cervical tumour was found and Lisa was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer.
The 40-year-old from Liverpool, who could have as little as a few years to live, said: "To be told I had stage 4 cervical cancer after complaining of these issues for so long, was absolutely devastating.
"Telling my children was the worst part – no mother wants to have to tell their kids that she's battling this horrible disease and may not be around to see them grow up and go on to have their own families."
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Since her diagnosis Lisa has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
However she later developed severe pelvic pain and urinary tract problems and had to be fitted with two nephrostomies - a plastic tube, to help her kidneys function properly.
She added: "The most shocking and saddening part of the whole ordeal is that I knew something was not right. I went back to my doctor time and time again, but I put my trust in their expert opinion – after all, they're the medical professionals.
"The thought of not being around to watch my children – and now my grandson – live their lives is devastating and I wouldn't wish this on anyone else."
Lisa was recently awarded £1.25m after filing a clinical negligence claim.
Matters highlighted as negligent included the failure to perform proper examinations, misdiagnosis and that Lisa was not referred to a specialist within two weeks of her symptoms being identified.
Hampson Hughes law firm, who represented her, allege had protocol been followed Lisa's cancer "would have been caught at a much earlier stage, leading to a full recovery with little chance of complications."
Lisa said she is now passionate about raising awareness among young women and encouraging people to be familiar with what is "normal" for them.
She said: "I want to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else. I'd urge every woman to get to know their bodies and if something doesn't seem right, get it checked out. Then ask for a second opinion and then a third if you need to – keep pushing. If I hadn't continued to push, I don't think I would be here today."
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Carlos Lopez, director of clinical negligence at Hampson Hughes, said: "Lisa was significantly let down by the experts she trusted the most, with her complaints of pain and discomfort being misdiagnosed and wrongly treated.
"Of course, no amount of money will be enough to take away the pain, or change what happened, but it was important to her that she be able to provide for her children for their future.
"She was also incredibly passionate about holding those who failed her to account, raising awareness of cervical cancer and helping to ensure that no one else has to go through what she has."
