Jo Wilson has revealed she has stage 3 cervical cancer and hopes that she can save lives by "being open" about her diagnosis.
The Sky Sports presenter was diagnosed back in June and is currently undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.
In an interview with OK! magazine, the 37 year-old urged women to "get their smear" as part of Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.
The mum of one went for a smear test in June and the gynaecologist immediately spotted the cancer's warning signs. Further test results confirmed it had spread to her lymph nodes.
She said she previously kept up to date with her smear tests but after a traumatic forceps delivery with her daughter Mabel in September 2020, from which they both caught sepsis, she delayed going for a test as she feared “being prodded down there”.
While the news was scary for the broadcaster, Jo was relieved to have found out before it was too late. She said: “It’s terrifying to think I could have put it off even longer.
"Cervical cancer can be quite slow growing. But it’s different for everybody."
Jo's story is a harrowing reminder on the importance of regularly testing for cervical cancer. But research shows that most women who are eligible for a cervical screening do not accept their invitation.
In fact, data from Public Health Scotland revealed that in 2021, the number of women going for smear tests dropped to its lowest level in five years.
Smear tests are offered to women aged 25-69 on a regular basis. They are also the best protection against the disease.
According to the NHS, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35. While it is curable, like most cancers early detection strengthens chances of survival.
There are also several warning signs that you may experience.
Main symptoms of cervical cancer
According to the NHS, symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- vaginal bleeding that's unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
- changes to your vaginal discharge
- pain during sex
- pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy
It is important to note that the above symptoms can also be experienced by those who suffer from endometriosis, fibroids and other chronic conditions.
Having them does not definitely mean you have cervical cancer, but it is recommended that you get them checked by a GP.
If you already experience these symptoms, you should seek medical advice if they get worse, or change in any way you are not used to.
Main causes of cervical cancer
According to the NHS, most cervical cancers are caused by an infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is an umbrella term for a group of common viruses. Most of the time, HPV does not cause any problems in those who have it, but it is linked to cervical cancer.
You can get HPV from:
- any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
- vaginal, anal or oral sex
- sharing sex toys
Testing for HPV is part of a routine cervical screening. Early detection can help determine if cells within the cervix are cancerous, which can prevent cervical cancer from developing.
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