Don’t forget Jade Goody...it could save you from cervical cancer says survivor Hayley (From Basildon Recorder)

Don’t forget Jade Goody...it could save you from cervical cancer says survivor Hayley

2:10pm Tuesday 13th March 2012 in News By Faye Hackwell

A MUM who discovered she had cervical cancer after Jade Goody’s death prompted her to have a smear test is urging others to get themselves checked out.

Hayley Sneath, 30, from Basildon, suffered gruelling treatment, but survived because the disease was tackled early on.

The mum-of-three, of Briar Mead, said: “I kept putting off having my smear test but when I heard about Jade, I finally went.

“When I got the letter telling me I had cancer, I had to face my worst fear.

“I thought I would die and my children would have to grow up without me.

“My operation took place on the day of Jade’s funeral and all I could think of was that I would be joining her very soon.

“But, thankfully, because I had the smear test, it was picked up early and I was able to have the treatment successfully.

“I feel lucky to have survived and I’ll always be grateful to Jade for reminding everyone to have their tests.”

Hayley was diagnosed three years ago and is now warning others not to ignore cancer symptoms and take routine tests, through a new campaign with Cancer Research UK and Tesco.

She joined staff at Tesco Extra in Pitsea to launch the partnership, through which Tesco aims to raise £10million to fund 32 early diagnosis research projects and launch a customer awareness campaign.

Hayley backed a “shopping list” of goals the two organisations have drawn up – with helping to beat cancer at the top.

She added: “All too often, cancer is detected further down the line when effective treatment becomes more difficult.

“My advice to anyone is to trust your instincts and if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, find time to get checked.”

A survey carried out by Cancer Research UK found three in ten people in the east of England said they might delay getting symptoms checked out because they were worried what the doctor might find.

One in five might delay because they feared wasting the doctor’s time and almost three quarters failed to list pain or problems with bowels or bladder as possible cancer symptoms.

About 28,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in the region each year and 14,300 lose their lives.