AT JUST 26 years old, Rachael Carey from Newton-le-Willows, received news that changed her life. Now 36, she is sharing her story for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19–25 January 2026) to encourage more women to attend their cervical screening when invited.

Working in a GP practice, Rachael was familiar with the importance of screening—but like many women, she had put it off.

“I knew cervical screening mattered, but I was nervous. With it being my first time, I’d never quite made the space for it,” she said.

That changed when her friend was referred for a colposcopy and she asked Rachael for advice. It prompted her to book her own first screening appointment.

Just days after her screening, Rachael was invited for a colposcopy. She expected a routine follow‑up phone call two weeks later but was asked to attend a face‑to‑face appointment instead.

“That’s when the consultant told me I had Cervical Cancer. They said that if I’d continued to delay my screening, it could have been a completely different story.”

Rachael was treated at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and after careful consideration, the team removed a large section of her cervix along with pelvic lymph nodes. Thankfully, no further cancer was found and no further treatment, such as chemotherapy, was needed.

Rachael has since attended annual follow‑up screenings and colposcopy appointments at the women’s hospital, with her most recent appointment in December. She now awaits official discharge when she will move to less frequent screening intervals.

The diagnosis deeply affected her family, friends, and colleagues but being part of a close GP practice team helped her through difficult moments.

“My colleagues were shocked to see me in work the day after my diagnosis, but working in a GP surgery along with my mum meant I was surrounded by people who understood and supported me every step of the way.”

A few days later, after sharing her story on her practice social media channel, the practice nurse told her that the post had encouraged a patient to book her screening—something Rachael says meant everything to her.

Today, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her partner and two stepchildren.

Rachael is now urging other women to not delay their cervical screening appointments and attend as soon as possible.

“Please don’t put your cervical screening off. I was young, fit, and busy – but screening caught my cancer early. If I’d waited any longer, things could have been so different. It takes a few minutes and could save your life.”

Cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 every five years. The test looks for high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV) which is the name of a very common group of viruses, and if found, the sample is checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can be treated to help prevent cervical cancer.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for NHS England in the North West, said:

“Cervical screening saves thousands of lives every year, and stories like Rachael’s show just how important it is to attend when you’re invited.

“We know life is busy and some people feel worried about the test, but our staff are here to help and support you. If you’ve received an invitation for screening, or if you’re overdue, please make an appointment – it could save your life.”

NHS England has set an ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Thanks to cervical screening and the HPV vaccine, we can make cervical cancer a disease of the past.

If you have been invited for your first screening, or missed your last appointment, contact your GP practice now.

For more information about cervical screening, visit the NHS website: Cervical screening – NHS