"If I had waited any longer, my story would've been very different" - A mum from Kirkby urging women to get smear tests
Sophie Banawich was told she had cervical cancer last year, despite having no symptoms.
Last updated 27th Nov 2023
A mum of two from Kirkby is urging other women across Liverpool to go to their routine smear tests.
30-year old Sophie Banawich was diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer in July last year following a routine smear test.
After her first test at age 25 returned with abnormal cells, Sophie had routine yearly smears at Liverpool Women's Hospital and in February 2022 more abnormal cells were detected. Following a procedure to remove them, more cells were detected and she went through the procedure again.
Sophie said: " I got a call back and just knew something wasn't right. They said there was good news and bad news. I had cervical cancer but they were confident that the procedure had removed it all."
"I instantly panicked and asked for a hysterectomy, I had two babies Cooper who is now 4, and Nella, 1, and knew I didn't want anymore children."
"My brilliant consultant at Liverpool Women's hospital, Sophie Lace made me feel so calm and explained everything clearly to me, that I didn't need one."
Stats show that across Liverpool, almost one in three women aren't up to date with their cervical cancer screenings. Across the country, the numbers of women going to get checked have hit a 20 year low.
The Government is announcing plans to increase the amount of screenings offered to women aged 25-64.
Sophie told us: "I understand that women are so embarrassed about this, it's such a personal thing to go through. But I look at is as, they (the nurses) do see it day in day out."
"Less than one minute it takes, that could potentially save your life."
"My message to other women would be to not miss a smear or put it off. If I had put this off or waited any longer, then my story could've been a completely different story today. In resulting potentially needing radiotherapy or chemotherapy."
To find out more about routine smear tests, visit the NHS website.