A WOMAN was told that she was “too young” for a smear test – only to be given months to live when docs finally discovered she had cervical cancer.

Katie Bourne started to suffer from belly pains, doctors assumed she had Crohn’s disease.

Then aged 24, docs refused to give her a smear test as she was too young.

Katie was finally diagnosed with stage-three cervical cancer back in February, when she was warned that unless she started treatment immediately, she’d only have 18 months left to live.

Katie told Teesside Live that all of her symptoms had pointed towards cervical cancer but that her referrals for smears were turned down because of her age.

She said she started to experience stomach pains in July last year and went her GP in November.

“They took some swabs and said I was booked in for a smear,” she told the site.

“But when I went back they said they weren’t going to do the smear and I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.

“The pain never went with the medication they gave me for that.”

In fact, after her cancer was picked up, it turned out that there was nothing wrong with her bowel at all.

In February, Katie collapsed in pain at her job at Next and spent the next three nights in hospital – where she was denied a smear again.

“Because of my age I was still declined a smear and when the pains went they sent me home,” she said.

“My GP had sent two gynae referrals in the December and January but both were declined. All my symptoms have always been the same.

“And when I Googled them they always brought up cervical cancer.”

A third referral was accepted and a smear and scan confirmed Katie’s worst fears.

She was told that she had stage three cancer which had spread to both sides of her pelvis.

Katie began chemo last month, but docs don’t know how well she’ll respond to it yet.

Without treatment, her prognosis is just 18 months.

Now 25, she’s already set about making a bucket list.

Top of her list is marrying her partner of four years, Leighanne Prior.

The couple had planned to get hitched in Las Vegas in the next few years but following Katie’s diagnoses, they’ve decided to get wed next month at Middlesbrough Registry Office.

And in January, they’ll be honeymooning in the Maldives.

Another thing in the bucket list is to “finish all the Real Housewives series!”

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 Why ignore pain until it can no longer be ignored?

Pain is the opposite of relief, people  tend to pacify it with simple ineffective solutions that subsequently compound the problem. it is our human nature to shine it off, unconcerned with the potential ramifications of allowing it to remain untreated, slowly progressing in its intensity pain forces you to take action at this point your nerve endings are on fire, your discomfort can no longer be ignored. your mobility is compromised,   eclipsed is your effectiveness, and your ability to complete day-to day simple tasks. you are not your normal self. we must evaluate our life choices big and small.this is a very humbling experience in the midst of my pain i cried out to God, he formed me with his own hands, he knows me best.

He has the power to heal us, he sent me several warnings to make changes in my life.out of stubbornness and ignorance I ignored his voice. God often uses different rods to discipline his wayward children, circumstances, pain, people, God wants the very best for us, he wants to guide and protect us from dangers seen and unseen, discipline is one of his means to accomplish his purposes in our lives. we often ignore his voice until  we feel discomfort, pain is a mega-phone, it captures our attention instantly our full undivided  attention. Pain exposes our deepest vulnerabilities, we can no longer hide, we must face the facts motivated by our suffering we would not attain otherwise, this broadens the scope of our understanding and the realization of the actual reality of the physical conditions of our bodies, and are bodies limitations. In the process we are taught through our sufferings respect, consideration, and care. I know in my heart I have to make some improvements today.