Teenage cancer survivor campaigns to lower age for cervical cancer screening

Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

A teenager from South Wales who survived cervical cancer is campaigning for the Welsh Government to lower the screening age from 25 to 18.

Jessica Bradford from Rhymney was diagnosed with the disease when she was 18.

She was initially told she was too young to have cervical cancer, and that her symptoms were likely to be linked to a sexually transmitted disease.

It was only after further tests, that Jessica found out the extent of the problem.

Jessica attended Velindre cancer hospital where her treatment was carried out - 5 chemotherapies, 30 radiotherapies and 3 internal radiotherapies. Due to this treatment Jessica can never carry her own children.

Having undergone life-saving treatment, Jessica is now getting ready to hand in a 100,000 strong petition to the Welsh Government calling for the age to be lowered.

Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Cervical Screening Wales says that the take up of screening needs to be improved before the age is lowered, as at the moment only 76% of women aged 25-29 go for a smear test.

View the petition