Maya Jama has revealed she needed a biopsy on her cervix after delaying her smear test for a year.
Taking to Instagram the 26-year-old, who earlier this month was confirmed as the new presenter for BBC’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, urged fans to not skip the life-saving tests.
Maya explained she had just returned home from the doctors, where she had cells removed and sent for further tests.
She warned fans: "It's very rare I get serious but I don't see it talked about enough. Girls, if you haven't done already, go and get your smear test.
"I know it's seen as uncomfortable and awkward but it's not that bad and it's so important."
Explaining her own situation, Maya said she had suspected cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) level 2.
This is not cancer, but there's a risk it could turn into cancer if untreated.
According to the NHS, at this level there is a moderate chance the cells will become cancerous and treatment to remove them is usually recommended.
Don't Hate the Playaz star Maya continued: "I've just had to get my second one because I left it a year for my second check-up.
"You've just got to check on these things."
And she explained: "You basically have to monitor these things and it's better you catch it sooner rather than later so it doesn't go into something else."
Maya will replace original host Stacey Dooley for Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star's third season.
The fun-filled reality TV series has been a huge hit for the BBC since it first kicked off in 2019, with Strictly Come Dancing winner Stacey having acted as the main face for the first two seasons.
The competition sees 10 budding makeup artists hoping to take the title as they navigate their way through various challenges.
After the former Strictly star announced her departure last year, producers went on the hunt for the perfect presenter replacement, before selecting Maya.
