Gabrielle Neal discovered she had womb cancer at the age of 58. Thankfully, early diagnosis and treatment saved her life.
"I'd been looking forward to a family Christmas with my husband, children and grandchildren for months," says Gabrielle from Woodbridge in Suffolk.
"On Christmas Eve, we had a full house with lots of activity and celebrating. But I couldn't enjoy myself as I felt exhausted and had to go to bed early.
"On Christmas morning, I noticed there was blood on my dressing gown, as if I was having a very light period.
"This was unexpected. I'd begun going through the menopause a decade earlier and was taking a type of HRT that was period-free.
"I was anxious not to let the bleeding spoil the day, so I soldiered on feeling very drained.
"When I went to bed on Christmas night, I realised that I'd forgotten to take my HRT pill the previous evening. Presuming this was the reason for my bleeding, I put it to the back of my mind.
"But the spotting continued over the next week. There wasn't a massive amount of blood, but enough that I had to wear a pad.
"I suspected something was wrong, so when the family left at New Year, I went to my GP. After hearing about my symptoms and giving me an internal examination, she instantly referred me to our local hospital."
Getting tested for womb cancer
Like her GP, Gabrielle's specialist was concerned that she'd suddenly started bleeding so many years after the menopause.
An ultrasound test showed something was wrong, and a biopsy of the lining of the womb confirmed that Gabrielle had womb cancer.
"Within days of the diagnosis, I was operated on and had a hysterectomy, where my ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed as well as my womb. The doctors didn't want to take any risks when it came to getting all the cancer out.
"Thankfully, the operation was a great success. I was pronounced clear of cancer and didn't need to have any chemotherapy.
"I now know that bleeding after the menopause is the main symptom of womb cancer, and I did the right thing by going to see my doctor about it. If I'd left it any later, I might not be here now.
"I feel very lucky to have had an early diagnosis and wonderful medical care. I've felt so much better and full of vitality since the operation."
After her treatment, Gabrielle set up a local East Anglian group of the gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal to encourage women to feel less embarrassed about discussing intimate symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, and take action if they need to.
Read more about what to do if you start bleeding after the menopause.
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