There have been renewed calls for an increase in cervical cancer screening, after a 25-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with terminal cancer during her first smear test.
Both the NHS in the UK and Cervical Check in Ireland provide free smear tests to those aged 25 and older to screen for cervical cancer, as those below the age threshold are believed to be at a much lower risk.
However, following her first examination at the age of 25, Aimee Willett from Kent was told that she has cancerous cells and a follow-up test found that she had a second inoperable tumour.
Willett, who has two sons aged eight and three with fiancé Micheal Bond, has since undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy but has been warned she is unlikely to survive until 2016 and is planning a final Christmas with her family.
According to the Daily Mail, she has vowed to dedicate her final year to campaigning for screening to be opened to those under 25 to avoid the same situation happening again.
“I am bitter about it and I would like to see the age lowered. I think 25 is too old – especially if a girl has had a child at a young age. The biggest thing for me now is for people to be more aware,” she said.
“If you experience anything that’s not normal, go to your doctor and get it checked out and when you get a letter asking you to go for a smear test make an appointment straight away and keep it. I always thought it would never happen to me because I was young, but cancer doesn’t pick an age group.”
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