ANEELA Hoque had all the tell-tale symptoms of cervical cancer.
She was bleeding more than usual, had lower back pain and discomfort in her stomach.
But the then-34-year-old, known as Annie, was otherwise healthy, and doctors were convinced she was more or less fine.
They diagnosed her with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and dehydration, and sent her on her way.
Eventually, she was told she had stage four cervical cancer. She died 19 months later.
Her heartbroken partner Adam Mould desperately doesn’t want the same thing to happen to anyone else.
READ MORE ON CERVICAL CANCER
He said: “If her story makes anyone appreciate their loved one a little bit more, or get that health check done they’ve been putting off, I feel like Annie lives on.”
Annie, who was a regional marketing manager for an office solutions company, first noticed something wasn’t quite right in 2020.
She was experiencing irregular bleeding and pain in her legs, lower back and abdomen.
“It made it uncomfortable for her to walk,” Adam, from Smethwick, West Midlands, said.
Initially, GPs blamed other medication Annie was taking, but she and her partner knew that wasn’t the full story.
They visited walk-in centres and made follow-up doctor’s appointments, only to be told it was kidney stones or cystitis, or that she simply wasn’t drinking enough water.
The couple pushed for scans and more tests and in January 2021, Annie was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which affects around 3,200 women every year in the UK.
“I called the results department of the hospital to chase the findings for Annie because we hadn’t heard anything after the biopsy for over a week,” Adam said.
“That’s when they gave us the news – they had ‘found something’, although they said it was best to come in and speak about it in more detail.
“I remember feeling sick, and then I heard Annie come down the stairs to see what they had said.
“I tried to be brave, but the look on my face made it clear it wasn’t good.
“Annie called them back, and, as she always did, showed strength in taking the news. I guess it didn’t feel real to her at that point.”
He added: “When we attended the appointment to discuss the findings in detail, she was devastated.
“We both cried and held each other while the oncologist tried to give us hope that there were options, and we would get the best care available.
“We just couldn’t believe this had happened to her.
“It was always something you heard about happening to other people, but she was otherwise healthy – we loved walking and eating out, because Annie was a real foodie.
“From that point on, she was determined to fight as hard as she could, and never gave up hope.”
We just couldn’t believe this had happened to her. She was otherwise healthy
Adam Mould
Annie started chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, but her cancer remained and she was told she was out of options in August 2022.
She passed away at home on September 24, surrounded by her loved ones.
Throughout her treatment, she was supported by Birmingham Hospice to help with her pain control and management.
Adam, an account manager in the facilities management industry, said: “Knowing they were on hand for any questions or concerns was really comforting.
“With their help, Annie was able to enjoy life during her illness.
“She was so well looked after. The staff were amazing, and it was so important to know someone was there on hand to help.
“Being cared for at home was so important to us.”
He remembers his partner, whom he met at the bar Walkabout in 2011, as “very genuine, beautiful and so friendly”.
‘I floated through each day feeling numb’
Adam said: “Annie was just amazing. I was absolutely smitten when I met her.
“She was the love of my life and she truly pushed me to be a better person.
“Annie was always known for her kind soul and beautiful smile. She had a real knack of making friends in any scenario because she was so approachable, witty, and such a good listener.
“What stood out most over the last couple of years to all those who knew her or met her during her cancer journey, was her determination and gratitude.
“Her treatment team and oncologist always noted her brilliant positive attitude.
“She would always count herself as one of the ‘lucky ones’, even with her diagnosis, because she was so grateful for the support and love around her.
“When people lose ‘their person’, they say things like, ‘I think about them all the time’.
“This is an understatement, and for a while I floated through each day feeling numb and without purpose.”
Adam’s heartbreaking message one year after Annie’s death
Dear Noodle,
One year today my love. The last of the firsts.
I hoped today something would change, but the loss of you is still as painful now as it was yesterday, and all the days, hours, minutes that have passed before.
I miss your smell (always so clean and floral) I miss your perfect smile, your laugh.
I miss the comfort of your words of wisdom and encouragement when I question myself.
The debates over our favourite shows and geeking out over all the nerdy things we love.
I miss making up songs about the cats to make you laugh hysterically, no matter how stupid they are (even with my terrible cat voice).
It hurts so much seeing a memory in our pictures and not being able to laugh about it with you. I want to be in those memories and not here without you.
We all feel the pain of what you have missed, the beautiful places we would have travelled to together, and the love shown for you at your service.
Twelve months on and tomorrow will be the same. But despite the heartbreak, I know you would be proud that we have survived.
I hope in some way, somehow you feel the love that is still here for you, and you see the small ways you are honoured every day by those who miss you so much.
We are so proud of how strong you were in life, and leading up to your passing.
I’m trying to hold on to that same spirit and “do an Annie” each day to keep going.
I miss you so much Noodle.
But Adam pushed through, and found a way to keep Annie’s memory alive and raise money for others going through similar ordeals.
“The grief was a lot, so I started to take up running to get my mind off it,” he said.
“It was then I decided to take on the year of fundraising in her memory, which included five fitness challenges.
“As well as fundraising, I scattered Annie’s ashes in places that were either special to us both or somewhere she’d always wanted to visit.
“I first visited Japan, as we are both self-proclaimed geeks and are really into the culture. I scattered Annie’s ashes in Kyoto near the cherry blossom trees, as this was something Annie had always wanted to see.
“I then went to Paris, where we went on our first-year anniversary, before travelling to Crete, where Annie worked for a few months and always said it was ‘the making of her’.
“I finally visited South Africa to go on safari as Annie loved animals, especially cats.
“This one was really special. It felt like she was with me the whole time.”
Alongside his travels, Adam completed a 100km bike ride, the Great Birmingham Run, a half Ironman, an Olympic triathlon and the Barcelona Ironman Challenge, which involves a 3.8km swim, a 112km cycle and a marathon.
In total, he raised £7,702.36 for Birmingham Hospice.
How to protect yourself against cervical cancer
CERVICAL cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women in their early 30s, with around 3,200 new cases and 850 deaths each year in the UK.
According to CRUK, the five-year survival rate is around 70 per cent – and the earlier it is caught, the better.
Cervical screening programmes and HPV vaccines have reduced rates and save 4,000 lives each year.
It is vital you attend your smear test and get jabbed when invited, and that you know the symptoms of cervical cancer to look out for.
These aren’t always obvious, and they may not become noticeable until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.
But you might notice:
- Unusual bleeding (often after sex, between periods, or after the menopause)
- Pain and discomfort during sex
- Vaginal discharge (often unpleasant smelling)
- Pain in your lower back, between your hip bones or in your lower tummy
Women are invited to have regular cervical screenings between the ages of 25 and 64. How often depends on your age.
The HPV vaccine, which helps protect against the virus, is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 and people at higher risk from HPV.
Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
