Laura's story

Laura McAdam, from Ayrshire, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016, at the age of 31.

Two years earlier, the result of Laura’s regular smear test had come back showing cell changes. In order to be monitored more closely, Laura attended check-up appointments every six months and when the results kept showing cell changes, she underwent a colposcopy in November 2016.

During the procedure Laura’s doctor took a biopsy and a week later, Laura was given her cervical cancer diagnosis.

Laura underwent a hysterectomy in January 2017. As the affected area was bigger than what the consultant had expected, she was scheduled in for a five-week course of precautionary chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

However, a tear in Laura’s bladder was detected shortly before the course was meant to start and her doctors decided to cancel the treatment. Following a bladder operation last year, Laura now attends scans every six months to closely monitor her recovery.

Laura, who used to volunteer with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to highlight the importance of cervical screening, said:

"I was diagnosed early thanks to attending a regular smear test and I’m so grateful that my cell changes were picked up early enough - it saved my life.

I had no symptoms whatsoever before that, so I know first-hand how important it is to attend screenings, even if nothing seems wrong.

I had a bladder operation last year and I have a few niggly back pains as a result of that, but other than that I feel absolutely fine now."

All the hospital staff have been fantastic throughout all this and I can’t thank them enough for their care.