Michelle: don’t put your life at risk by missing a smear test...
FORMER Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has live blogged her smear test to encourage other women to get checked out.
The Our Girl actress took fans with her to the doctor for her cervical screening examination via her Instagram stories after ‘pushing aside’ numerous letters inviting her for screening and her mum’s pleas to book an appointment. She posted a string of straight-talking videos and a snap of herself on a medical bed with the caption ‘here we go,’ but stopped short of filming the procedure. Down-toearth Michelle, from Irlam, Salford, said: “Today I’m on the way to the doctors for a smear that I’ve been putting off for a quite long time now.”
She added: “I think the thought of going for a smear for women puts them off more than anything. One in four women now don’t turn up to their appointments apparently, so I’m going to do a video blog today to show you how simple a smear test actually is.”
Afterwards she updated her 3.7 million followers to explain how straightforward the procedure is.
“I was in the for five minutes, on the bed for two,” she said. “It was really quick, really easy and wasn’t painful at all, just a little bit uncomfortable.”
Michelle, 31, who played Tina McIntyre in Corrie, urged followers and their friends and family to have the screening for cervical cancer, explaining that 3,500 women are diagnosed every year.
She also posted a heartfelt caption on a video, saying: “I used the excuse of being ‘too busy’ with work and life in general.
“Let’s face its it’s bloody embarrassing to drop your knickers and open your legs in front of a total stranger.
“I was apprehensive thinking about the pain I was going to endure. However I finally got my finger out, (pardon the pun) and went to my appointment.
“My doctor was so lovely, I hopped onto the bed and it was over in less than 2 MINUTES!!! It was a tad uncomfortable but no means painful.”
She added: “After doing some research I found that the number of women who should go for a test has dropped to an all time low in 20 years!!!
“Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under the age of 35, with some having no symptoms whatsoever. Seventy five per cent of cervical cancers can be prevented by having regular cervical screening, let me break this down for you...SMEAR TESTS SAVES LIVES. My advice to you... STOP making excuses, book, and go for your bloody smear! A smear tests last 5 minutes the impact of cervical cancer lasts a life time!”
Michelle, who is married to former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, was applauded by fans for her blog. One said: “I urge everyone to get it done I went for my 2nd and got diagnosed 5 years ago with cervical cancer ..... I’m now cancer free and want everyone to go .... don’t put it off.” Another fan said: “I had my smear done last Monday and I’m praying for a normal result this time. After having pre cancerous cells treated 2 years ago, going for smears always worry me, but it’s a must get ur smears booked!!!”
In the UK the cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. Detecting and removing abnormal cervical cells can prevent cervical cancer and the test is available for women aged 25 to 29 every three years, women aged 50 to 64 every five years and to those over 65 who have recently had abnormal tests.
Coronation Street is currently screening the harrowing story of pregnant Sinead Tinker who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Sinead was too young at 24 to have had a smear test and there have since been calls from viewers to lower the age for cervical screening. Michelle Keegan