Tinuke Awe, 33, who has a son Ezekiel, seven, and daughter Eden, four, told The i Paper that she ended up missing a couple of cervical screening tests as her invites arrived while she was pregnant.
Ms Awe, from south-east London, admits that in between having her two children, she completely forgot about having her cervical screening as she became busy as a mother.
Abnormal cells were then identified, which required treatment to prevent them from turning into cervical cancer.
“It was really concerning and I feel incredibly lucky that I had a GP who was so switched on and was looking for things on my medical record and encouraged me to go have my delayed cervical screening.
Abnormal cells were then identified, Ms Awe explained, which required treatment to prevent them from turning into cervical cancer“I believe having my cervical screening potentially saved my life.”
It is estimated to save 5,000 lives a year in the UK. However, cervical screening attendance rates are decreasing, with one in three people invited not attending.
The YouGov survey of 1,146 women found that over half (56 per cent) were not aware they could ask the nurse or doctor to stop the cervical screening if they wanted them to.
Only one in 10 women knew they could ask to be in a different position for their screening or that they could book a double appointment to allow more time.
Then, when she had to undergo a procedure called a large loop excision of the transformative zone (LLETZ) for the precancerous cell changes, she requested to go under general anaesthetic.
Ms Awe was pregnant twice when she received invites for cervical screening
“They were happy to do the adjustments I asked for to feel more comfortable.”
“I think it is so important to have cervical screening, especially if you are a mum and might have missed when they invited you because you were pregnant,” she said.
“All women should ensure they take charge of their health and keep on top of things and go for regular screenings and check-ups as it could save their life.”
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Read More“If a cervical screening is not routine and due to previous abnormal cells, the best time to have this done is between three and six months of pregnancy.”
Athena Lamnisos, CEO of The Eve Appeal, said: “We know that cervical screening isn’t easy for everybody. But there are things you can do to help make the appointment more comfortable and we want everyone to be aware of these.
“Cervical cancer is an almost wholly preventable disease. To reach the NHS England’s ambitious but achievable target of elimination by 2040, we need to help every person who is eligible and wants to be screened to overcome their particular barriers and challenges.”
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