Fears women are not getting smear tests during Covid-19 pandemic as bereaved family urged people not to ignore symptoms

Nicky Jetson-Shepherd died 16 months after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cervical cancer in March 2016.

The 52-year-old from Thirsk had recently gained a master's degree and was just about to buy a house with her partner when she passed away, months after noticing she was experiencing abdominal pains and abnormal bleeding.

A medical negligence case pursued by Ms Jetson-Shepherd before her death and later taken on by her mother and sisters resulted in the South Tees NHS Trust, which runs the Friarage Hospital at Northallerton, admitting she would have survived had she been diagnosed sooner. The Trust has now amended its policies to ensure future cases like Nicky's are caught in time.

In light of the tragedy, Ms Jetson-Shepherd's family have now urged women to "not take no for an answer" when it comes to signs that something may be wrong.

As this week marks Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, sister Sandra Bates spoke out on the importance to going for smear tests (cervical screenings) despite the current pressure faced by the NHS.

"Nobody should die because they were too embarrassed to go for their smear," said Ms Bates, 67, who also lives in Thirsk.

"If you're called for a cervical smear, you go for one. Don't put it off. It's not nice, and it can be a bit embarrassing, but don't die of embarrassment."

Cervical screenings are currently carried out by the NHS every three years for any woman over the age of 25.

According to Cancer Research UK, there were 3,152 diagnoses of cervical cancer and 852 deaths between 2015 and 2017, with almost all (99.8 per cent) of cases deemed preventable.

Symptoms include pain or bleeding during sex, any abnormal bleeding and persistent pelvic or back pain.

Ms Bates added that many women may be putting off going for screenings currently out of fear of 'burdening' the NHS during the Covid-19 crisis.

"I also think there's also quite a likelihood that a lot of doctors are so under pressure at the moment that they've stopped doing those tasks," she added.

"But the main message is, go and get your smear test. If you're in the younger bracket where you don't have a smear test but you've got symptoms, go and get them checked out and ask for one. Any doctor worth their salt, if presented with those issues, would get that sorted out pretty quickly.

"Even men should be aware. If they've read this and think their partner might be having those symptoms, tell them to get checked out."

Medical negligence lawyer Ross McWilliams or Irwin Mitchell, who represented the family, said: “Nicky’s death has had a profound effect on Sandra and the rest of the family, who are still trying to come to terms with losing Nicky so tragically.

“Through our work we come across many families torn apart by cancer, and early diagnosis and treatment is key to fighting this terrible disease. While nothing can make up for the hurt and pain Nicky’s family have been through, we welcome the Trust’s pledge to improve patient care by making changes to its policies.

“It’s now vital that these changes are upheld at all times so others don’t have to go through what Nicky’s family have.”

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