World GO Day on September 20, 2026, brought renewed global focus to gynaecological oncology, highlighting prevention, early detection, and the reduction of social stigma surrounding ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulval cancers. In Mount Temple, County Westmeath, cervical cancer survivor Anne Nally marked the occasion by sharing her story of diagnosis, premature motherhood, and life-altering medical treatment with the Westmeath Independent.
A Dual Diagnosis During Pregnancy
Fifteen years prior to the awareness day, Anne Nally discovered she was pregnant at age 29 following a year of preparation that included negative Pap smears and taking folic acid supplements. As the pregnancy progressed, she experienced heavy bleeding and doctors diagnosed her with cervical cancer. At 29 weeks pregnant, she carried the baby until 33 weeks before delivering her son, Colin, prematurely. Plans to remove the tumour immediately following the delivery were halted because Colin required immediate resuscitation and was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Consequently, doctors closed the surgical incision and postponed the cancer surgery by six weeks while her caesarean section scar healed.
During the following four months, Anne Nally received cancer treatment in Dublin, remaining separated from her newborn and family. Her medical regimen included radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and brachytherapy, a procedure involving radioactive seeds, pellets, or wires placed directly inside or near the tumour. The aggressive treatments induced early menopause at age 30 and permanently ended her ability to have more children. Reflecting on the aftermath, she stated she entered a dark place where she could not accept her new reality or work to her fullest potential.
Managing Physical Sequelae and Family Impact
Anne Nally detailed the severe physical toll exacted by the combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and brachytherapy. The treatments left her body in shock, causing extreme fatigue alongside compromised bladder and bowel function, rendering her physical condition unrecognisable after beating the cancer. Beyond physiological recovery, she emphasized the necessity of mental and emotional healing, noting that psychological counseling is vital to address depression and the strain placed on marriages and personal finances.
In early 2013, when Colin was less than a year old, a routine doctor’s visit brought another medical challenge when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which developed due to birth complications. This second diagnosis redirected her remaining energy toward caring for her son while simultaneously managing her own rehabilitation from cancer treatments.
Advocating for Better Patient Services
Over the past decade, Anne Nally has transformed her personal experience into advocacy for improved medical and psychological support services for cancer patients and survivors in Ireland. Her public narrative highlights the hidden struggles that persist after hospital discharge, pointing out that patients are often assumed to be fully recovered once treatment ends, despite ongoing physical and psychological adjustments.
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