Kym Marsh has revealed she had pre-cancerous cells removed after they were flagged when she went for a smear test.
The former Coronation Street star, 44, has encouraged women to get their tests done after it emerged that one in three women have missed theirs during the pandemic.
She said she dreads to think what would have happened if she had missed the smear test that flagged the cancerous cells and not known about them.
Writing in her column for OK! magazine, Kym told: "I am someone who has had pre-cancerous cells – I've had them removed and, touch-wood, I'm fine.
"But imagine if I hadn't gone to that smear test at that time? You've got to be vigilant."
Kym recently underwent an operation on a hernia.
The TV star was forced to miss the first week of filming her new series Morning Live because she had been given an operation date.
She encouraged her fans to go to the doctor if they find that something's wrong, even during lockdown.
Kym continued: "New stats have shown that one in three women have missed their smear tests during the pandemic.
"It's so important we don’t let our general health slip right now. If you find a lump, or something's not right, you need to go to the doctor.
"There are people working. You should definitely be making your smear appointments, too.
"We all know how important it is to have smear tests as women."
She added: " Coronavirus is going on, but other serious illnesses and diseases don’t go away so we’ve got to be aware."
