3:20am Saturday 30th January 2010
By Michelle Archard
THE death of reality TV star Jade Goody from cervical cancer shocked the nation.
However, the legacy of her untimely passing last year, aged just 27, was more women becoming aware of the disease and the importance of having regular cervical screening.
The life-saving smear test can be undertaken at a GP surgery every three or five years, depending on a woman’s age.
The campaign to raise awareness of the disease has continued following Jade’s death and has this week been brought to the public’s attention as part of cervical cancer awareness week, which runs until Saturday.
A mum-of-three from Canvey has joined the campaign and spoken about her experience dealing with the world’s second most common cancer.
Maria Gibson, 37, a swimming teacher, had a routine smear test in November 2008 and received a letter confirming the procedure had discovered abnormalities.
As is standard, she had to wait six months to go back, to allow time for the cells to correct themselves. The results of the second test in May last year found a tumour.
Mrs Gibson said: “I could have put that test off, but I made sure I went and it saved my life.”
Fortunately, her tumour was removed and the abnormal cells were also taken away during a biopsy.
She said: “I had a biopsy where they burn a section of the cervix off and analyse the cells, which took 20 minutes.
“Most of the cells were level three, which is the worst, and they also found a small tumour.
“I had an MRI scan to check if it had spread, but it hadn’t. Luckily it was caught very early. I went back into hospital to have a bigger biopsy and stayed overnight. The cells showed just mild changes.”
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papilloma virus.
The body can fight some strains of HPV and most women who have it will have no effects.
Infection with some types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells, which can lead to cervical cancer.
Now Mrs Gibson, who is a single mum to ten-year-old Jordan, Ben, seven, and Dillon, three, has check-ups every three months, and will be closely monitored over the next five years.
She said: “In just under a year the HPV had caused cell changes and I had cancer. It progressed really quickly.
“I’d never missed a smear test. If I had missed it, or not gone back after the six months, goodness knows what would have happened.
“When I heard the word cancer I was very upset.
“It’s not good for your mental health all this waiting for the results, but I’ve coped by being busy, with three children and my job.
“If I was having a down day, I would go for a swim or turn to my friends.”
She is fully supportive of the current national programme to vaccinate girls, aged between 12 and 13, against HPV, and urges all women to go for their routine smear tests.
Mrs Gibson, of Vaagen Road, added: “I’m 100 per cent behind the HPV vaccine for girls.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing. Any woman who has had sex can get it.
“I know the importance of going for a smear and if you’re recalled to go back.
“I’d urge all women to go for their test. It can save lives.”
Estimates in south east Essex, show approximately 17,000 eligible women, aged between 25 and 64, have not attended a cervical screening appointment in the past five years.
Women aged between 25 and 29 are the most likely to miss their test.
Margaret Gray, associate director of public health for NHS South East Essex, said: “It is vital women attend their regular screening appointments because we know the test detects early changes which could lead to cervical cancer.
“Regular testing really can save lives.”
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