Published2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, David Perella/BBCBy Alice Bhandhukravi and Alex PopeBBC News, HertfordshireA woman has said her cervical cancer was not caught early enough because a hospital falsely assumed she was from a travelling community.Angelina Devlin, from Hertfordshire, says she was not offered a follow-up after giving birth despite a midwife detecting a growth in her cervix.A letter from the hospital admitted it mistakenly assumed she would not have an address.The hospital said it would not comment on individual cases.Image source, Angelina DevlinIn October 2017, Ms Devlin, who lives in a house in St Albans, gave birth aged 20 at Watford General Hospital – part of the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTH).She said a midwife detected a growth in her cervix at the time, but claimed necessary referrals did not take place.After months of extreme pain and complaining to her GP, she said she was seen by a bladder specialist, who discovered a tumour in her cervix the “size of a large cooking apple”.Same address”I lost fertility, and if I was diagnosed two weeks later, it probably would have been too late for me,” she said.Ms Devlin received intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but her cancer returned.She was told she had “three months to live” and to prepare for the worst, but said it was “miraculous” she was still alive.”[The hospital trust] have admitted they didn’t send a letter as they thought I was from the Gypsy-Traveller community and I wouldn’t have an address, although the address is the same address I’ve had all the time – I’m a settled person.”‘Missed opportunity’The BBC has seen evidence that the 26-year-old has lived at the same address since 2017.A letter sent to her by the WHTH in June 2018, and seen by the BBC, said: “Patient says she was told there was something wrong with her cervix and that it would be checked at a post natal check six weeks after the baby had delivered but no post natal check was offered and this girl comes from the travelling community and was lost to follow up.”Clearly we have missed an opportunity to diagnose and treat this girl at a much earlier stage of her cancer.”She may have had chance to preserve her fertility going forward and her chance of survival would have been significantly improved.”She said she was offered £5,000 from the trust, but she refused the money. Ms Devlin said she was not currently taking legal action.Image source, Angelina DevlinMs Devlin said: “Worthless, that’s how it made me feel, like my life is really worth nothing.”The people who were supposed to be taking care of me and my son didn’t.”She said her cancer was in remission, and that her bladder and most of her bowel had been removed. Ms Devlin has learnt to walk again and is living with an organism in her pelvis that makes her susceptible to sepsis. “My doctor told me they’re going to do their best to get me to 30,” said Ms Devlin, whose son is aged six.”I’ve been living in hell for six years.”Smear tests: ‘Five minutes could save your life’NHS promises to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040Study to look at ways to increase cervical screeningThe hospital trust said: “We are sorry Miss Devlin has not been satisfied with her experience. “However, we do not believe it is right to comment on individual cases or claims against the trust. “If representatives for Miss Devlin contact us, we can discuss how to progress her claim.”Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830More on this storySmear tests: ‘Five minutes could save your life’Published10 August 2023Study to look at ways to increase cervical screeningPublished20 July 2023NHS calls 13,000 women for smear tests after errorPublished17 April 2023Cervical cancer: ‘A smear test saved my life’Published27 January 2023Related Internet LinksWatford General HospitalDepartment of Health and Social CareThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.