A woman has hit out at the NHS because she isn’t old enough for a smear test – even though her mother had cervical cancer as a teenager.
Demi-Lee Stewart is 22, meaning she is still three years away from the Government’s smear testing threshold of 25.
Miss Stewart is concerned because she has been suffering bleeding between periods and lower back pain for two years – two major signs of cervical cancer.
But doctors have allegedly said she can’t have the simple procedure despite these symptoms, even though her mother Lynn, 53, was diagnosed with the killer disease aged 19.
A smear test detects abnormal cells on the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina, but is not a diagnostic test for cancer.
Around one in 20 women show abnormal changes to the cells of their cervix, which could increase their risk of developing cervical cancer.
Demi-Lee Stewart is 22, meaning she is still three years away from the Government’s smear testing threshold of 25
She also has a family history of cervical cancer. Her mother, Lynn, 53, was diagnosed with the killer disease aged 19 (pictured with her mother)
Now Miss Stewart, from Glasgow, fears she may too have the disease – but says no-one will help her because of her age
Her cancer was spotted after she gave birth to Miss Stewart’s older sister, Melissa, who is now 34.
Now Miss Stewart fears she may too have the disease.
The mother-of-one is now looking to go private to get the test but says women with a family history of cervical cancer are not being listened to by the NHS.
She said: ‘I told them about the history of my mum having it.
‘My doctor said “You’re only 21” and I said “I’m 22 in two weeks’ time”. She said “It doesn’t matter, you’re not 25, we cannot do a smear”.
‘What am I supposed to do? I’m worried sick about it.’
She added: ‘On every TV screen the thing they’re flagging up now is that if you’ve got worrying symptoms please see your doctor straight away and get a routine smear.
‘There are posters and there are leaflets, but when you go to your doctor, they refuse you. Its ridiculous.’
A smear test detects abnormal cells on the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina.
Most test results come back clear, however, one in 20 women show abnormal changes to the cells of their cervix. This could carry the risk of developing cervical cancer.
A colposcopy procedure may be used to examine the cervix in more detail to determine if the cells need removal or if they will become cancerous. About four out of ten women who have a colposcopy have a normal result.
Miss Stewart started suffering symptoms of bleeding between periods and lower back pain a year after the birth of her first baby Braxton, now three
Miss Stewart, pictured with her partner Ronald Shaw, 23, and Braxton, thought her symptoms were due to her contraception. But switching methods didn’t stop the symptoms
Miss Stewart’s mother’s cancer was spotted after she gave birth to Miss Stewart’s older sister, Melissa, who is now 34. Now, Miss Stewart fears she has the disease
Miss Stewart started suffering symptoms a year after the birth of her first baby Braxton, now three.Miss Stewart started suffering symptoms a year after the birth of her first baby Braxton, now three.
At first her GP said it may be hormones from her contraception.
She swapped from the contraceptive implant to the Pill and when that didn’t work, she changed to another pill.
When that also failed to help, she swapped onto the injection before then trying the coil, but nothing stopped the bleeding.
Eleven months ago she quit contraception completely but has now been bleeding non-stop for three weeks.
Miss Stewart, who is a service advisor for Mercedes Benz, said her partner of six years, Ronald Shaw, 23, was also worried sick.
Her GP at Westmuir Medical Centre in Park Head, Glasgow, has recommended an internal scan.
She added: ‘Girls refuse to go for smears, yet I am doing the right thing and feel neglected by my doctor. They need to take it more seriously.
‘The last five weeks things have just got worse and worse. I’m bleeding every day. I feel so tired.
‘I’ve started a new job and been off sick. I’m anaemic. People do get it young and my mum is proof.’
Frustrated, Miss Stewart said her mother is proof people get cervical cancer at a young age
Miss Stewart has hit back at doctors considering there are campaigns everywhere to see your GP if you are having symptoms
Miss Stewart said: : ‘Girls refuse to go for smears, yet I am doing the right thing and feel neglected by my doctor. They need to take it more seriously’
The age for smear tests in Scotland has been brought in line with the UK and is 25.
It was raised from 20 in 2016 – but campaigners say that it should be lowered back to 20 as women that young do develop it.
Critics have responded by saying it would be too expensive to test everyone from 20 onwards.
A spokeswoman for her GP said: ‘We would firstly like to say that we are saddened and concerned to learn that one of our patients was less than happy with the level of service that they received.
‘Unfortunately due to patient confidentiality we cannot comment on individual cases.’
A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde did not want to add anything.
Around 3,200 British women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 1,000 die with the disease annually.
But these rates are projected to rise by nearly 40 per cent in the next 20 years.
The latest figures from NHS Digital show that only 71 per cent of women are up to date on screening, with approximately five million overdue.
WHAT IS A SMEAR TEST?
A smear test detects abnormal cells on the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina.
Removing these cells can prevent cervical cancer.
Most test results come back clear, however, one in 20 women show abnormal changes to the cells of their cervix.
In some cases, these need to be removed or can become cancerous.
Being screened regularly means any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing (stock)
Cervical cancer most commonly affects sexually-active women aged between 30 and 45.
In the UK, the NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites women aged 25-to-49 for a smear every three years, those aged 50 to 60 every five years, and women over 65 if they have not been screened since 50 or have previously had abnormal results.
Women must be registered with a GP to be invited for a test.
In the US, tests start when women turn 21 and are carried out every three years until they reach 65.
Changes in cervical cells are often caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which can be transmitted during sex.
In January 2018, women shared selfies with smeared lipstick on social media to raise awareness of the importance of getting tested for cervical cancer in a campaign started by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
Celebrities including model and socialite Tamara Ecclestone, former I’m A Celebrity! star Rebekah Vardy and ex-Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye joined in to support the #SmearForSmear campaign.
Socialite Tamara Ecclestone supported the Jo’s Trust’s #SmearForSmear campaign