Jade made me realise cancer can affect anyone

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I went for a smear test 18 months ago and had to have some abnormal cells removed. Then I got a letter to go for a follow-up test and I ignored it.

I suppose I thought that burying my head in the sand would make it go away. I didn't want to go back because of the discomfort and the embarrassment, but also I was scared of what they would say.

I ignored it for about 9 months - I probably got 10 letters over that time.

But then I heard Jade's story and it made me change my mind. I came across a YouTube clip of her on Indian Big Brother when she was told that she had cervical cancer and something just clicked.

I realised it can happen to anyone and it frightened me. I realised I could die if I didn't sort it out, so I made an appointment to go for my follow-up test. Since then if I've ever been tempted to ignore any letters, I've just looked at Jade's kids and thought of mine.

I went for a smear at the doctors and got a letter from them 3 or 4 weeks later saying I had to go for another one at the hospital. The doctors told me there had been significant changes between the 2 tests.

So they took a biopsy and now I'm having a hysterectomy. I've still got to have more tests but the doctor said it will stop the cancer from spreading.

If anyone is putting off having a smear test I'd say don't - just go for it. I wound myself up about it and I had nightmares, so I understand about not wanting to go. But once it's done it's just something or nothing - it's only 10 minutes of your life.

Now my 13-year-old daughter is going to have the cervical cancer jab and my older daughter is going for a smear test.

Angie Atter, 41, Brighouse