Cancer survivor Laura encourages more people to come forward for life-saving test

A cervical cancer survivor from Oldham is urging more women to come forward for their cervical screening appointments, as she thanks the test for saving her life.

2024 was a whirl wind year for Laura Hope. 

The 36-year-old legal secretary started last year knowing she had cervical cancer and would need life-saving treatment.

In January, she had her first treatment at Royal Oldham Hospital.

In February, she had a trip to America to celebrate her gran’s 80th birthday.

In March, she had a hysterectomy to remove the cancer.

Then after a gradual recovery, with the help of friends and family, she got back to going to the gym and took part in mindfulness classes.

In December, she took a holiday to Spain.

Now in 2025, she’s planning a trip to Iceland and has signed up for a 5k.

She’s also making 2025 the year she reminds everyone she knows about the importance of attending your cervical screening test – a test which she credits for saving her life.

Laura said: “I started last January not knowing if I’d be here, so this year I want to make the most of everything!

"Luckily my cervical cancer was found at stage 1 – the earliest possible stage – which I think is because I have always gone for my screening.

"So now I want to make all my friends and family aware of just how important it is for you to attend when you get your invite.

"2024 was a bit of a rough year for me, but now I’m on a mission in 2025 to make a difference.”

Laura, a legal secretary from Failsworth, went to her cervical screening appointment (also known as a smear test) in October 2023.

A few weeks later she got a letter saying her that the test had shown high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) and some abnormal cells.

She was then sent on to The Royal Oldham Hospital for further investigations, where she had a colposcopy.

This is where a specialist nurse or doctor takes a closer look at the cervix (the opening to the womb from the vagina).

Unfortunately, this showed she had cervical cancer.

In January 2024, Laura had laser treatment to her cervix at Oldham Royal Hospital before having surgery (a hysterectomy which is an operation to remove the womb and reproductive organs) to remove the cancer at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.

After the operation she was able to donate her fallopian tubes to research.

Laura is now showing no evidence of disease meaning the treatment has been successful and she has three monthly check ups to keep an eye on her.

But the treatment has meant Laura has experienced an early menopause.

Laura said: “Straight after the operation I woke up and felt fine but then once I got home I realised it was going to take a bit of time to build myself back up both physically and mentally.

“I’ve been doing a mindfulness course with Maggies at Oldham and have made friends for life.

"It’s been great having people who know just how you are feeling and knowing some feelings are absolutely normal.

“Since my operation I’ve been to America to see family and to Spain to see my friend.

"I’m completely back to being physically active now and am back at the gym and can lift my normal weights.

“I eased into it but now I’ve signed up for a 5k in the summer.

“2024 was a rough year but it has given me the wake up call to change a few things in my life.

"I always went for my cervical screening – because I remembered the story of Jade Goody (a celebrity who died from cervical cancer), but now I tell all my friends and my niece to go.

"It’s so important. It’s also very important to children to have their HPV vaccine.”

Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 will receive a letter in the post from the NHS to invite you for cervical screening.

After your first appointment, when your next invite arrives will depend on your age and test result, but this is often every 3 or 5 years.

If you were invited for cervical screening but missed or did not book an appointment, you can contact your GP surgery.

Dr Helena O’Flynn, a GP and Early Diagnosis Clinical Lead for Gynaecological Cancer at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said: “It’s very important to book your cervical screening test when you get your letter.

"This test may prevent cervical cancer by identifying pre-cancerous changes that can be treated before cancer can develop, or identify a cancer earlier, when treatment is more successful.

“And there’s no need to feel embarrassed – our nurses do these tests regularly and they want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

“As well as attending your cervical screening, it’s also important to look out for potential symptoms of cervical cancer and to visit your GP if you are worried.”

Symptoms of cervical cancer include:

·       vaginal bleeding that’s unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual

·       changes to your vaginal discharge

·       pain during sex

·       pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy

Find out what happens at a cervical screening appointment and how to book on the NHS website here

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