A mum-of-two who was treated for cervical cancer at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is urging women to make sure they attend their cervical screening appointments.
Carly Brown, from Devizes, shared her story during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2026 (19–25 January), a national campaign highlighting the importance of cervical screening and early detection.
Cervical screening
Cervical screening, often known as a smear test, checks the health of the cervix and helps prevent cervical cancer. All women aged 25–64 are invited for screening every five years, and everyone with a cervix should be offered the test.
Carly was just 32 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. 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,” she added.
She had noticed changes to her monthly periods but dismissed them. “I thought it was probably just down to my age and having had kids,” said Carly.
It was only when she experienced heavy bleeding that she contacted her GP and was booked in quickly for screening. “I’m not sure why I was ever worried about the actual appointment. It’s such a simple test, really quick and it didn’t hurt at all,” she said.
Following the appointment, Carly was referred to the RUH for further tests and a biopsy. “I was still in denial, but I remember that feeling of dread about what was to come,” she said.
“When I received the call to say it was cancer, I just burst into tears. I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Treatment
Treatment began swiftly, with five weeks of chemotherapy followed by five weeks of radiotherapy. “Once treatment started I was actually really positive. I decided I was going to do whatever was needed to beat this,” Carly said.
“The treatment was exhausting, and the side effects stayed with me for a while, both physically and mentally. I also faced going into medical menopause, which brings its own challenges.”
She praised the care she received, saying, “I can’t fault the RUH at all. The care, support and compassion I was shown was fantastic the whole way through.”
Being told she was cancer free was an emotional moment. “It was amazing, unbelievable. I just can’t describe how wonderful it was to get that news,” she said.
Regular check-ups
Now aged 35, Carly still attends check-ups at the RUH every three months. She hopes sharing her experience will encourage others to act.
“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,” she said.
“The earlier something is picked up, the quicker you can get treatment and the better your outcome is likely to be.”
She also urges women to trust their instincts. “If something doesn’t feel right, make sure you ask for an appointment. You can’t get time back, so make time to attend those appointments and get the ‘I’d rather not knows’ checked.”
Around 3,300 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK. Trans men and non-binary people with a cervix can speak to their GP, sexual health clinic or transgender health clinic about receiving routine screening invitations.
For more information about cervical cancer, its symptoms and treatments, visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/
