When Mai Elin Wehn, 41, found out her sister had cervical cancer in the summer of 2023, she had no idea she would be told the same devastating news just weeks later – two months after giving birth to her third child.
Vera Henriksen, 47, also a mum, shared the news with her family straight away, and reassured them that everything was going to be fine. Meanwhile, Mai Elin was at the time on holiday in Liverpool with her family – and although she felt some nerves about her own recent cervical screening test, also known as a smear test, she was mostly worried about her sister.
Then Mai Elin, who lives in Oslo, Norway, got the text message she never thought would come. They had found abnormal changes in her cervix. Instead of sharing the news with those around her, including her own family who were dealing with her sister’s diagnosis, she decided to keep it a secret.
Speaking to The Mirror for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Mai Elin explained: “I was very anxious when I received the message. I’d been told that same week that my sister had cervical cancer. But I also had a strong urge to keep things going as normal, especially as I had a baby, who was only two months old, and two other children.
“I also didn’t want those around me to worry unnecessarily. Despite being anxious, I thought it most likely wouldn’t be cancer. Because what are the odds of two sisters getting cervical cancer at the same time?”
The most common cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), which is not hereditary, but can be passed on through any type of sexual contact. The most common strains, HPV 16 and HPV 18, are responsible for 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. These don’t usually have any symptoms, which is why many people don’t realise they have the infection.
When Mai Elin came home from holiday, she booked an appointment straight away. She went for several tests in secret, with baby Ameli attached to her – and the rest of the family had no idea. At the same time she also had several phone conversations with her Vera, who was unknowingly going through the same thing as her sister.
One day when Mai Elin, a psychiatric nurse, was home with the kids she received the phone call she was dreading. Shutting herself in the bedroom, she was told she had cervical cancer and that she’d already been referred to Radiumshospitalet, a specialist hospital for cancer treatment in Oslo. The first person she called was Vera, who lives in Molde, Norway, who Mai Elin had been a “huge support” for.
“It was very painful to find out Mai Elin had been keeping it a secret,” Vera explained. “But at the same time, I understand. And the only person who should decide how to handle these kinds of situations, and who they want to tell, is the person going through it.”
Through this experience, they both realised something very important – cervical cancer is preventable – even when you don’t have symptoms. “Especially if more people knew about it and took advantage of the screening programme”, said Vera.
When Vera, who is a journalist, was told her own diagnosis she felt strongly that she should be vocal about it. She added: “That’s why I felt I should help share the knowledge with others. I don’t think I would have done it if it was any other form of cancer. But this is a type of cancer I didn’t need to get, and that’s why it was important for me to spread awareness.”
Cervical cancer is highly preventable through regular screening and HPV vaccination. Because neither of the sisters had any symptoms, or signs that there was anything wrong, the diagnosis was especially shocking. This further demonstrates the need for smear tests, which both Vera and Mai Elin had done regularly throughout the years.
Vera didn’t have tests done between 2009 and 2016, but after a campaign in Norway she decided to book an appointment. It followed the death of a woman called Thea Steen, who died of cervical cancer aged 26 in 2016. If it wasn’t for this case, Vera may not have made the life-saving decision to get tested herself.
Now the half sisters, who share the same mum, are closer than ever. “After the initial shock subsided, it’s actually been really meaningful to be able to go through this today. We wish we lived in the same city, so we could physically be there for each other, but we’ve had a lot of supportive phone calls,” they explained.
Mai Elin, who also experienced her own stepmother passing away from cervical cancer nearly 30 years ago, says it’s been incredibly important for her to help spread awareness. Both sisters are now cancer free, but it’s not been an easy road.
Vera went on to have radical hysterectomy – a surgery which involves removing the uterus, cervix and the fallopian tubes. The surgery was a success, but she then experienced going into surgical menopause. Nevertheless, she was “incredibly relieved” not to have to undergo any chemotherapy afterwards. Mai Elin had a less invasive keyhole surgery, as the tumour was a lot smaller.
According to the NHS, “Cervical cancer is a cancer that’s found anywhere in the cervix. It’s most common in women aged between 30 and 35, but it can happen at any age.
“The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus). It’s part of the reproductive system and is sometimes called the neck of the womb.
“Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
“You can reduce your risk by attending cervical screening, which aims to find and treat changes to cells before they turn into cancer.
“Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly. How serious it is depends on how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.”
Ultimately, taking advantage of the cervical screening programme saved their lives. Mai Elin and Vera both discovered they had cervical cancer in their 40s, although they don’t know how long they had it before it was detected via the screening programme in Norway. The scheme invites women aged 25 to 69 to take a smear test every five years.
They added: “We know that cervical cancer, in most cases, develops slowly, so there’s a chance we’ve had the HPV virus for many years without knowing.”
Now, the sisters want to encourage others to take advantage of cervical cancer screening programmes. “Don’t delay getting a test. It can save your life, as it did ours. Remember it’s a simple test that takes just minutes,” said Vera.
Mai Elin added: “Women might not think they need to get tested, especially if they’ve had the same sexual partner for a long time. But this isn’t the case. The HPV virus can stay in the body for many years, and be passed between people.”
It’s important to remember that symptoms are very common and can be caused by a number of conditions. But if you have any symptoms of cervical cancer, you should see your GP.