Womb cancer found in Suffolk woman during preventative surgery
Victoria Thurston, a mother from Suffolk, discovered she had early-stage womb cancer during a preventative hysterectomy after genetic testing revealed she had Lynch syndrome. Her participation in a research study for inflammatory bowel disease led to the genetic discovery that likely saved her life.
Why it matters
This highlights the critical importance of genetic research and screening in early cancer detection and preventative medicine.
Image source, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust/Jac Swindell Image caption, After taking part in genetic research testing, Victoria Thurston discovered she had Lynch syndrome — predisposing her to certain types of cancers
A mother-of-five has said taking part in a research study for inflammatory bowel disease "saved her life" after a preventive hysterectomy detected womb cancer.
After having her genes tested as part of a study in 2025, Victoria Thurston, 51, from Martlesham, Suffolk, discovered she had Lynch syndrome — a genetic condition making her predisposed to cancer.
After deciding to have a hysterectomy to reduce the risk of cancer, during preparation for surgery doctors found she had early-stage womb cancer.
She said: "Nothing prepares you for a cancer diagnosis but the team were fantastic and very reassuring. They could tell me right away that they'd found it early and that it would be easy to treat."
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