Footballer’s wife shares photo of her smear test to boost cancer screening
FOOTBALLER’S wife Rebekah Vardy has shared a photo of herself having a cervical smear test to encourage women to go for screening.
Showing her in a doctor’s surgery wearing red socks and covered with a sheet, it came after the Mail reported yesterday that cervical cancer tests have fallen to an all-time low.
The decision by Mrs Vardy, wife of England striker Jamie, to post the picture on Instagram has been criticised by some but welcomed by cancer charities.
The bright socks worn by the mother-of-three, 37, were from her time last year in I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Her post explained how she chose them for moral support.
‘I dread smear tests and I don’t even know why, so I wore my red jungle socks from I’m A Celebrity... to my smear test today to remind me that if I can do a bushtucker trial and eat a sheep’s anus to win food then I can certainly brave a smear test that could potentially be life-saving, and you can too!’
Quoting figures which show more than 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in Britain, she added: ‘Don’t be a statistic ladies – go for your smear test.’
After being accused by one follower of putting ‘too much on show’, Mrs Vardy replied: ‘The Victorian era called and they want you back home asap.’
Backing came from Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which offers support and information to women and families.
‘We were really pleased to see Rebekah helping to raise awareness,’ he said.
‘Her post will have been a great reminder for some to book their smear test appointment. We want women to know they’re not alone if they feel embarrassed about their smear test and that there’s also lots of support to help them feel more comfortable when they go for their appointment.’
The Eve Appeal, a gynaecological cancer research charity, responded to Mrs Vardy on Instagram: ‘Thank you for raising awareness of cervical screenings to all your followers!
‘It is such an important subject and one that we talk about all the time.’
This week it emerged nearly a third of women have ignored their latest invitation to go for screening, when a sample of cells is taken from the neck of the womb and analysed for abnormalities.
Take-up in Scotland’s cervical screening programme is just 62 per cent among 25 to 29-yearolds, with ‘body shame’ and embarrassment feared to be keeping women away.
Cervical cancer kills around 100 women a year but rates of the disease are projected to rise in the next two decades.
The death of reality television star Jade Goody at just 27 from the disease in 2009 caused a surge in screenings but figures have gradually fallen since.
Mrs Vardy’s picture follows a similar post from actress Michelle Keegan, star of Coronation Street and Our Girl.
She admitted ignoring numerous letters from the NHS and her mum’s nagging, saying: ‘I used the excuse of being too busy.
‘Let’s face it, it’s bloody embarrassing.’
However, her appointment lasted less than two minutes and she added: ‘It was a tad uncomfortable but by no means painful.’