Golcar mother hopeful over cervical cancer screening age

Mar 20 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TWO cervical cancer survivors are positive the age of screening will be lowered after taking part in a London rally.

Golcar mother Joanna Tatlock was joined by Hipperholme mother Elaine Davies and around 100 women in Parliament Square on Wednesday to campaign for the age of smear testing to be lowered.

Joanna fought and beat cervical cancer when she was 25, while Elaine was 36 when she was diagnosed and underwent radical surgery which she credits with keeping her alive today.

Both women are now hopeful that the health minister Ann Keen will now consider lowering the age screening is made available to women.

Joanna, 27, an administrator at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, said: “The atmosphere at the rally was amazing, very joyous because we were all positive something good would come of it.

“There was a sad side to it when we released balloons in Parliament Square for a few women who had died or have the cancer but don’t have long left – that was poignant.

“But we made sure it was a happy occasion and all left feeling so positive.”

Elaine, 43, has undergone a hysterectomy and radical pelvic exenteration to clear the cancer.

The mother-of-two boys said: “It was absolutely horrendous but it was crucial and almost six years later I’m alive and kicking.

“I truly believe that when a woman becomes sexually active they should be allowed a smear test.

“Jade Goody was 25 when she started with the symptoms.