Ballyclare cancer survivor urges women to get routine smear test as 100 women in NI die from cervical cancer in 5 years
A Ballyclare mum and cancer survivor is reminding women of the importance of routine smear tests, after recent figures show 100 women in Northern Ireland died from cervical cancer in 5 years.
Tanya Byres was just 36 years old when she got the news everyone fears.
However, the mum and teacher says thanks to routine smears, she caught the cancer early and was able to be treated and cured.
Now, she is using her story to encourage other women to go for their smear tests.
Recent statistics show 415 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in Northern Ireland in 5 years.
Sadly, around 100 of those women died.
Tanya knows without her routine appointment, she could have been one of them.
"I never missed a smear, I always went for them," said Tanya.
"In November 2015 I got my three year letter to go for my routine smear but I am a teacher and it was a week day so I waited for the Christmas holidays and I went at the very start of January 2016, within four weeks of my original date.
"The nurse asked if I had any unusual symptoms and I said in the past month I had a tiny bit of spotting between periods and sex had been a bit painful.
"She said it was a red flag so my test would be sent off quickly."
But just before half-term, Tanya got a letter for a colposcopy appointment, as her smear had shown abnormal cells.
She then went for more tests, when it was confirmed she had stage 1 cancer.
"I just did not think I was going that day to hear I had cancer," she said.
"It was probably a good thing as I was not nervous, but then it was a big shock.
"I remember busting in to tears, I thought the worst. I grew up in the Jade Goodey era so naturally I thought the same was going to happen to me."
Thankfully, as her cancer was caught early, Tanya made a full recovery and just recently marked 5 years cancer free.
She wants every woman here to go for their smear test. She says two minutes of discomfort could save your life.
"I waited longer to get the test done than the actual smear test. I don't like getting them, I get embarrassed very easily, but those few minutes of discomfort could save your life."
During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17-23 January), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of women attending for cervical screening when invited.
It is really important for women to accept their invitation for the screening test – it could save your life,” Dr Tracy Owen, Interim Assistant Director of Public Health - Screening and Professional Standards at the PHA, said.
“Cervical screening aims to prevent cervical cancer from developing. It’s often called a ‘smear test’ and checks the cells from your cervix, the lower part of the womb.
“Screening is designed to pick up any changes to these cells so that they can be monitored or treated. Without treatment, where required, the changes can sometimes develop into cervical cancer.”