Please don’t die of forgetfulness

AT 28, Beth has cancer rampaging through her young body. The words ‘if only’ haunt her. For Beth didn’t go for a smear test. Too busy, too embarrassed, just forgetful – everyday excuses to put off three minutes of slight discomfort that could save our lives.

Beth is one of a staggering 1.2 million women who didn’t bother to go for this vital check in 2017-18 as screenings dipped to a 21-year low. What makes her suffering all the more tragic is that, in the usually one-sided war scientists are waging against cancer, this is one of the great wins.

Screening, and discovering a link between the HPV virus and cervical cancer, have made this savage disease preventable. The biggest cancer killer of young women can now be halted. Better still, our school-aged daughters are now being vaccinated against the HPV virus, too. This should be a cause of celebration. But the grim reality is that cervical cancer cases are rising and women are dying needlessly.

While running the charity Wellbeing Of Women for the past two years, I’ve learned we have to take ownership of our own health.

JENNIFER Aniston says she got over her breakup from Justin Theroux by having lots of therapy. This followed FOUR years of the same after she split with Brad Pitt. If Jen spent more time enjoying life and less painfully analysing it, she may just find the happiness that seems to elude her.