As part of this year’s gynaecological cancer awareness month, cancer support group GO! Girls are on a mission to raise awareness of post-menopausal bleeding (PMB) to encourage earlier cancer diagnoses for women.

The GO! Girls Group, who meet in Poundbury, support women and their families with gynaecological cancers and want to get the message out to women that bleeding after menopause may be a sign that all is not well.

Hilary Maxwell, chairman of GO Girls! said: “Women must be alert to the symptoms of post-menopausal bleeding (PMB). This would be bleeding that occurs 12 months after cessation of periods (the menopause) and we encourage women to seek early advice from their GP.

“Of course, there are many reasons for PMB, but it is safer to rule out cancer than rule it in.

“Women can be referred in on a fast track by their GP for further investigations.

“We know that earlier diagnosis is much more likely to improve survival in all cancers.”

Angela Bament, 66, from Weymouth first noticed signs of PMB several years after going through the menopause.

“I didn’t think something was right, but wasn’t sure what was wrong either.

“Despite the symptoms of the menopause, it was a relief after 40 years of periods to no longer worry about the monthly ‘curse’ but all of a sudden, I was experiencing vaginal bleeding.

“Little did I ever think that this could be cancer,” she said.

After a number of tests, including a hysteroscopy and ultrasound scan, Angela found out she had endometrial cancer, cancer of the lining of the uterus or womb.

“It was a dreadful shock to find out I had cancer.

“The word cancer still evokes so many fears and I really didn’t have the risk factors normally associated with endometrial cancer.

“I wasn’t overweight, I had had children and only drank socially.

“As soon as I saw my GP she fast tracked me to the gynaecology department at Dorset County Hospital.”

Angela underwent surgery and gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before getting the all clear this August.