"My Life-Changing Journey: How an Itch Led to the Removal of My Vulva and Bum"

A WOMAN has shared how she was forced to have her bum and vulva removed to save her life after a persistent itch in her pants.

Gina Thornton says she was constantly embarrassed by the daily discomfort, which left her feeling like she was “on fire”.

Gina Thornton was diagnosed with cancer after noticing an itch ‘down there’Credit: Jam Press The 57-year-old and her husband Colin, from Goole, East YorkshireCredit: Jam Press

She sought medical advice and was diagnosed with (where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body) and (a skin condition which causes itchy patches, usually around the genitals).

As the issue worsened, Gina, 57, was sent to have the fitted – though this only led to more flare-ups, coupled with a “burning” sensation.

When the homemaker got the removed, doctors discovered a much more shocking reason for her never-ending itch: .

To save her life, she had to have her , perineum and anus removed for good.

“My vulva had become extremely swollen and itchy – it felt like it was on fire,” Gina, from Goole, East , tells Sun Health.

“I left it for a couple of weeks, though I knew something wasn’t right.

“I had been managing to keep my lichen sclerosus under control most of the time, but this was unbearable. My left buttock was also as hard as a rock.

“The pain only got worse. I could barely walk, was having sleepless nights and no amount of paracetamol was doing the trick.

“Then, one night, I went to the toilet and was left covered in blood. It was horrendous.

“My heart then sank when they told me it was cancer. Even though it was caught early, I knew my life was about to change forever in a bid to save it.”

Gina was initially prescribed medication when the itching started.

With heavy and irregular , she knew her issues were much more serious. But it took months to get her and diagnoses in 2016.

Years later in March 2024, when the ordeal worsened, Gina noticed a small tear near the bottom of her .

This developed into a painful cyst, which subsequently burst.

After a few weeks, following a biopsy, it was confirmed to be stage 1B and (a very common group of viruses that can cause genital warts and abnormal cell changes that can sometimes turn into cancer).

Stage 1B means the cancer is more than 0.8in (2cm) in size, or has grown more than 0.04in (1mm) into the skin and tissues underneath.

is rare – around 1,400 people are diagnosed with it every year in the UK.

It can happen at any age, but more than 40 per cent of new cases are in women over the age of 75.

The most common of vulval cancer include an open sore or growth, a persistent itch, bleeding, pain or soreness, thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin, a mole that changes shape or colour, a lump or swelling in the groin, and a burning pain when you pass urine.

Treatment depends on how big the is and whether it has spread but can involve surgery, and chemotherapy.

Gina was initially diagnosed with endometriosis and a skin condition called lichen sclerosusCredit: Jam Press She later discovered she had stage 1B vulval cancer and HPVCredit: Jam Press Gina’s incision scars following major cancer surgeryCredit: Jam Press

In November 2024, Gina had an anovulvectomy procedure to remove her vulva, perineum (the area between the anus and vulva) and anus.

“I was devastated,” she says. “I was terrified I’d never look normal again.

“But I had no choice but to have this surgery due to where the cancer was.

“My gynaecologist told me if I didn’t, I may as well forget my life.”

Luckily, it was a success and there was no need for any additional treatment.

Since then, she’s had a fitted, though is living itch – and pain – free.

A stoma collects bodily waste when the body can’t eliminate it normally.

I want to warn women that if you notice any changes, get it checked out right away

Gina Thornton

Asked how she now feels “down there,” Gina, who tied the knot with her fiancé, Colin, on December 4, says: “Well, it feels normal, just without the butterfly. Otherwise, it doesn’t really feel any different.

“Some people get plastic surgery but luckily I didn’t need it. I’m just sewn up.

“I’ve still got my labia and clitoris; it’s hidden, but it still functions. I’ve got three scars – two either side of my groin, which are barely visible, and one down my stomach.

“I was quite numb around my genitals after surgery – I couldn’t really tell if I’d ‘finished’.

“I also couldn’t sit down properly at first; I had to use a doughnut cushion.

“There were days that I’d feel OK. But I would sometimes go for a walk with my then-fiancé and I would find I couldn’t get very far without getting breathless and being in pain, sometimes within 10 minutes.

“I still have some areas that are numb, and as soon as I feel the urge to go to the loo, I have to go. But I was healed in about six months, and recovered fully after 10.

“My partner and I were intimate about four months after the operations. I was nervous as I didn’t know how it would feel having no vulva. But honestly, it feels even better.

“Colin stood by me and assured me nothing would ever change, and he was right.”

Gina had her vulva, perineum and anus removedCredit: Jam Press She says her life has mostly returned to normal, but she lives with a stoma bag and some scarsCredit: Jam Press

Gina hopes that by sharing her story, she can help other women get an early diagnosis like she did.

“I want to warn women that if you notice any changes, get it checked out right away,” she says.

“I’ve never missed a smear test and have always been vigilant with my health; it ultimately saved my life.

“My main concern [when being diagnosed] was not being able to see my kids marry or have children of their own.

“I may have lost a big part of me, but I’m still alive.

“It hasn’t been easy adapting and for the first few months, I felt like I [couldn’t leave] the toilet.

“But I’m very grateful that I’m still here, enjoying my life and walking down the aisle to start a new life in every dimension.

“Look out for itching, white or pale skin, crinkly patches, bleeding and bruising.

“It’s such an overlooked area, but it could save your life.”