Woman’s Rare Cancer Dismissed as Menopause—Now Fighting for Her Life
A cancer counsellor’s harrowing battle with a rare and deadly cancer started with a painful misdiagnosis. Jo Shaw Pyke, 48, from South Shields, suffered 18 months of relentless itching and pain around her genitals, only to be told it was menopause. It wasn’t until December 2023 that doctors spotted an 8cm tumour on her vulva. She was diagnosed with vulvar mucosal melanoma—an ultra-rare and aggressive cancer few have heard of.
Shock Diagnosis Hits Newlywed
Jo had just enjoyed her wedding in autumn 2022 and was looking forward to a happy honeymoon phase. Instead, she found herself battling a terrifying illness she had never encountered—despite working as a cancer counsellor for 13 years.
“There’s no cure for this type of cancer, and I had never come across it before,” Jo said. “I’ve seen thousands of clients with different cancers, but this one was new to me. It was like, ‘what am I dealing with here?’”
Vulvar mucosal melanoma develops in the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, or genital areas and accounts for just 1% of all melanoma cases, making it extremely rare and hard to treat.
Cancer Returns—Hope Hinges on Cutting-Edge Therapy
Despite surgery in January 2024 to remove the tumour, Jo’s cancer returned in June. She is now undergoing immunotherapy, but survival rates for this condition are grim. Jo’s friend, Karen Murray, has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for experimental TIL (tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy abroad—a life-saving treatment not readily available in the UK.
Jo’s Mission: Raise Awareness & Save Lives
Determined to help others avoid the same fate, Jo is speaking out urgently about the importance of paying attention to unusual symptoms.
“If I can help just one person get checked and get the right diagnosis, then everything I’ve been through is worth it,”
Jo said.
“I’ve had so many calls from female friends saying, ‘I have itchiness too.’ My advice is always: get it checked out.”
Jo also runs a support group for people with incurable illnesses and remains hopeful that TIL therapy will give her a fighting chance.
“It would mean the world to me if I could get the chance at TIL therapy, as I believe it could save my life. If I survive, my focus will be on helping other cancer patients and raising awareness about this devastating disease.”
How You Can Help
Jo’s story is a vital warning to listen to your body and never ignore persistent symptoms. Early detection could save lives. To support Jo’s fight, visit Karen’s GoFundMe fundraiser to help bring this pioneering treatment to the UK.
