A woman who survived cancer is urging others not to delay their cervical screening appointments.
Carly Brown, from Devizes, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 32 after experiencing changes in her monthly periods and later, heavy bleeding.
She said: "I kept putting off having a cervical screening test.
"I just didn’t want to know and I kept telling myself I was too young to get this type of cancer.
"Looking back now I can’t believe how naive I was."
After finally contacting her GP, Ms Brown was referred to the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) for further tests and a biopsy.
She said: "When I received the call from the RUH with the news that it was cancer I just burst into tears.
"I just didn’t know what I was going to do."
Ms Brown began treatment quickly, with five weeks of chemotherapy followed by five weeks of radiotherapy.
Once she started treatment, Ms Brown said she felt "really positive" and determined to beat the disease.
Now 35, she attends follow-up appointments at the RUH every three months.
She is sharing her story during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week to stress the importance of the tests.
Ms Brown said: "My message to women is please don’t put off having your cervical screening.
"It really is such a simple, straightforward test and genuinely could save your life.
"I hope my experience will show women the importance of going to those appointments and not ignoring symptoms – early detection really could save your life."
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