– It came as a shock, because I had followed the cervix program and taken a pap smear every three years. Vera Henriksen talks about when she received the shocking news last summer that she had contracted cervical cancer. She had quite recently undergone an operation where a small part of the fallopian tube is removed. The procedure is done to prevent cell changes from developing into cancer. But she still got it, and she’s not alone. According to the cancer register, around 300 women in Norway get cervical cancer every year. Between 70 and 90 women die from the disease. Photo: Remi Sagen / news – Shall I die? She was at work as culture manager for the newspaper Romsdals Budstikke when the nurse called to tell her she had cancer. In her job as a journalist, she asks questions every single day, but when the nurse asked if she wondered about anything in connection with what she had just learned, she couldn’t come up with a single one. – Of course I had questions, but in that situation you might not come up with the things you wonder about. Vara Henriksen has written about how she experienced getting cancer in the newspaper she works for. Photo: Remi Sagen / news But it didn’t take long before both the thoughts and the questions presented themselves. “Has it spread? Am I going to die? What kind of treatment can I expect in the future?” – It was a chaos of emotions and thoughts. You get very scared, she says. She called her roommate, Trond Hustad, and told her what she had found out. – There was fear and anxiety. For what this was, and for what was going to happen now, says Hustad. Trond Hustad was scared when her partner told her she had cancer. Photo: Remi Sagen / news No guarantee Sara Underland Mjelva at the Cancer Society, says that participating in the cervical program is one of the most important things you can do to prevent cervical cancer, but that there is no guarantee. Last summer, the pap smear was replaced by the HPV test, and according to Mjelva, this is even safer. – It is estimated that one in 100,000 women may be diagnosed with cancer within the next test, even if the test result was normal last time. When the cell test was used as a method, the figure was ten out of 100,000, she says. But she emphasizes that you must go to the doctor if you get symptoms or notice that something is wrong in the abdomen. – Then you should in no way wait for you to receive a letter from the cervix programme. Had to undergo extensive surgery After many examinations, Henriksen learned that she had to undergo a very extensive operation. The cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and lymph nodes had to be removed. – Then I myself chose for them to remove the ovaries, she says. Vera Henriksen had to go through several investigations. Photo: Private Vera was distraught and scared even though the operation had gone well. Photo: Private Back on his feet after surgery. Photo: Privat The operation went well, and Henriksen learned that she would most likely get rid of the cancer. Collected two million kroner The good news gave her partner an idea – a large charity concert to raise income for the cancer cause. – I wanted to use this to do something meaningful, he says. Together with Henriksen, he started the foundation “Konsert mot kreft – Molde” With artists who volunteered, sponsors, companies and private individuals who donated amounts, two million kroner was eventually collected for the cancer ward that will open in the new hospital that is being built at Health in Molde. – They must be used on equipment that those who work there need and want, says Henriksen. On the eve of the handover of the money that had been collected, they received a gift of NOK 500,000. Clinic manager for cancer treatment Siri Beate Talseth-Frilund and clinic manager Britt Rakvåg Roald accepted the gift from Henriksen and Hustad. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Britt Rakvåg Roald, who is clinic manager for the new hospital being built, is very grateful for the gift. – There is tremendous respect for those who have done this in addition to being ill and relatives themselves. They made a difference for patients and relatives, she says. The monetary gift means that the hospital will receive more offers. – We get the opportunity to buy some of the equipment that we have not been able to prioritize ourselves, and that is important for the offer the patients receive, says Roald. It was Trond Hustad who got the idea that they should try to turn the situation into something positive. Therefore, the concert against cancer became a reality. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Half a year of ups and downs Henriksen describes the last half year as a roller coaster. – From a very difficult situation and a scary diagnosis, to a very meaningful and educational project where we have felt supported, she says. She is now cancer-free, but she will continue to use her illness story to give an important call. – Check yourself, says Vera Henriksen. Photo: Remi Sagen / news
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Vera (47) did everything right, but still got cervical cancer
