A MUM from Burtonwood is urging people to not ignore their cervical screenings following her own cancer diagnosis.

Amy Turner, 46, was diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer in May 2018, as well as cancer of the lymph nodes in her groin.

She is now appealing for people to make an appointment with a doctor if they notice any symptoms, even during the latest lockdown.

Amy said: "At the moment, with everything going on, screenings won't take priority for people.

"Stupidly, I had ignored my cervical screening tests.

"I wasn’t being prudish and I wasn't sacred, I was just busy.

"I had a really busy job and a toddler and focused on everything else in my life but making that appointment.

"Then I started experiencing symptoms that I just knew weren’t right, like irregular bleeding, and so I took myself off to the doctors who identified irregular cells and also took a biopsy which came back as cancerous.

"When the doctor told me those three life changing words,‘you have cancer’, I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience and watching someone else’s life.

"I felt quite numb to some extent and the severity of it hit me in waves."

Initially, Amy was supposed to have a radical hysterectomy but, after a scan revealed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, she was told her treatment would entail chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

Warrington Guardian: Amy with her daughter LolaAmy with her daughter Lola

"The first few sessions weren’t so bad," Amy recalled.

"I remember being almost quite underwhelmed after the first radiotherapy session.

"Being in the chemotherapy unit was quite surreal and felt like I stood out as everyone was much older - people would often look surprised when I was called through rather than my mum.

"Eventually the effects of the treatment intensified and I have never experienced such intense tiredness.

"There were usual side effects such as nausea and a permanent horrible taste in my mouth.

"The type of chemo I had meant I didn’t experience hair loss - even though it went awful and snapped.

"I experienced other side effects like compromised hearing, but all of these things were bearable through."

Cervical Cancer Awareness week takes place between January 18 and 24, including the #SmearForSmear campaign.

Lots of people are unsure if they can, or should, go for a screening during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you do have an appointment, guidance says that you are allowed to go, even within the current restrictions across the UK, as cervical screening is a medical appointment.

You should also make an appointment with a doctor if you notice any changes or symptoms.