Carly Scott is urging people to attend vital cervical screenings after doctors discovered she’d had cancer for eight years
Carly Scott is now fighting to secure alternative medical treatments and specialist consultations following the shock diagnosis (Image: Carly Scott)
A Kenton teacher says she is “not ready to die” after receiving the devastating news that her cervical cancer is terminal. Carly Scott is urging others to attend vital cervical screening appointments after doctors realised she’d had cancer for around eight years.
Carly was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer in early 2025 and just days ago was told the devastating news it has now progressed to stage four. Despite this, the 38 year-old is not giving up hope, and is now seeking alternative methods in a bid to prolong her life.
Carly hopes to travel to a private clinic in Germany specialising in Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) – a minimally invasive treatment – costing around £30,000. She is also researching into proton therapy, an alternative treatment not available on the NHS, but first needs to see a specialist before learning if she is eligible for treatment.
Carly, who works as a teacher at a North Tyneside SEMH school, explained: “Exactly a year ago I got the flu and started haemorrhaging blood. I had no symptoms before then, maybe when I look back a little tired and fatigue but I didn’t realise.
“The first time I went to the hospital they thought it was going to be a heavy period and sent me home and see how it goes.” After feeling faint and enduring a three-hour bleed a week later, Carly then returned to hospital.
“That’s when they realised it wasn’t normal because my Haemoglobin levels should have been about 110 but they’re about 45 and I needed a blood transfusion,” she said.
“If I hadn’t gone in that day they said I probably would of gone home and had a heart attack and died that night.
Carly Scott was told her cancer has now progressed to stage four(Image: Carly Scott)
“Then when they looked, doctors realised I had cervical cancer and said I’d had it about eight years.” Carly started treatment immediately and began to lose her her hair just a week later, not returning to work for six months.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, she said: “Now I found out days ago my treatment isn’t curative anymore. They’re hoping that I’m eligible for immunotherapy and putting me on chemo every three weeks. And they think if it all goes well, I’ve got two years left.”
Following the shock news, friends Becca and Kerry set up a GoFundMe page to support Carly with living costs and access to expert consolations and treatment options outside of the NHS. Within just days an outpouring of love, support and generous donations saw over £9,000 already raised of the initial £10,000 goal with Carly calling it “astounding”.
Carly’s mum and dad are also planning to sell their home in order to secure funds and Carly has since returned to work, with her wages now going towards any further treatment.
Carly pictured with her friends Becca and Kerry who set up the GoFundMe page(Image: Carly Scott)
Carly says she’s found cancer “is possibly the most expensive thing you can go through in life,” adding, “I had savings before it happened and they’ve all gone.
“Because my workplace couldn’t pay me my whole way through I went on statutory sick pay and was entitled to £100 a month Universal Credit. Because I own my house I’m not entitled to housing benefits so basically my choice was go back to work or be homeless with cancer. So that’s why this fundraiser is so important.”
Carly has suffered further damage to her kidneys as a result of radiotherapy and brachytherapy, leaving her in chronic pain, and was awaiting a operation for a kidney stem to be fitted before she can begin further treatment.
She said: “I think right now I’m just not accepting it and that’s why I’m trying to go private and get more help. It would mean everything to me.
“My mum’s got a muscle wasting disease and me and my sister have always looked out for each other and been there for each other and it horrifies me that I’m not going to be there for her and she’ll have to do it alone when I’m not here. I’m only 38, I can’t just let it go already.”
Carly with her mum and sister (Image: Carly Scott)
After suffering PTSD in her childhood, Carly was put off from going to a smear test. “Every time I got a letter I replied sorry I’m too anxious,” she said. But she has since discovered accommodations could of been provided.
“I found out after I had cancer that I should have been referred to be put to sleep to get a smear, and it’s a really easy thing and quick referral from your doctor and it’s done,” she added.
Carly is now spreading the message, coinciding with Cervical Cancer Awareness week, to help others. “If that had of happened I wouldn’t be dying. I think there’s probably loads of women like me who just don’t go because they’re a bit scared or have mental health conditions that are affected.
“I was really shocked, I just didn’t think that was an option and I would like to make more people aware of that. I’m desperate for some help but also help other people out there. If I do have to die I’d like it to go to something good.”
Carly and her partner Joe(Image: Carly Scott)
Carly has been supported by friends and family since her diagnosis but adds her partner Joe has found the situation difficult. She said: “He tries not to think about it and you turn the tele on and its just everywhere. It sounds weird but once you’ve got cancer you seem to be constantly bombarded with cancer things.”
Yet despite everything, Carly says it’s been “wild but also really heart-warming” seeing the support she has received. “I’ve realised how many people actually care and how supportive everyone’s been,” she said.
“When I’ve gone back to work the students have been amazing and looked after me. It was quite shocking for them as I went back with a wig and a wheelchair as I get quite dizzy. The downside of cancer is cancer. The upside is how lovely everyone has been.”
You can support Carly by donating to the fundraiser here.
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