Steph McGovern had a smear test live on TV on Monday in a bid to show how quick and easy a cervical screening examination can be.
The test was performed as part of Leeds-filmed show Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4 by Rotherham doctor Naomi Sutton.
The TV star underwent the test live on air following an interview with a father who wants to encourage more women to attend screening appointments.
Chris Hopkins has launched ‘The Smear Campaign’ following the death of his former partner from cervical cancer, which has left his nine-year-old son to grow up without his mother.
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Chris wants to help prevent more children from losing their mothers to cervical cancer.
He said: “I wanted to do something positive so another child doesn’t have to go through this… Marie did go for smears, the diagnosis took a bit too long. After Marie’s passing, I started looking into figure around it and I read one in three, one in four women are not going for the smear test…”
Data from the charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust shows that around five million women are invited for cervical screenings every year with about three and a half million attending – one in four women don’t, with it being as low as one in two young women (age 25 to 30) not attending in some areas of the country.
Steph McGovern’s smear test was performed by Dr Naomi Sutton, from Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, who said: “There’ll be lots of reasons women don’t go but all these things can be tackled… Embarrassment about their bodies, nervousness about pain…. a skin problem, you might be menopausal and it’s dry and sore, but all these things we can sort out with a bit of dialogue and communication.”
As her smear test was being performed, Steph said: “There are a lot women who struggle with going to their smear test because they think it’s going to be awful and embarrassing, so we decided to show you what actually happens…
“I’ve had my smear tests a number of times and they can be different each time. Sometimes you don’t feel anything. Now it feels pretty ok but sometimes they can hurt, or people worry it’s going to hurt.
"But it’s not for long, even if there is a little bit of pain.”
Steph added: “It’s not the most comfortable experience in the world. This isn’t hurting, it just feels weird.”
With the test complete, Steph said: “That took 30 seconds or something, it can sometimes take slightly longer, getting into the position because it is hard to stay relaxed… This is embarrassing and it is sometimes uncomfortable and for some women it can be painful but it can save their life.”
Dr Naomi Sutton added: “The point of the screening test is that it’s picking up changes before they turn into cancer. We can treat the changes before it ends up being something we struggle to treat.”
Rebecca Shoosmith, Acting Chief Executive, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “Cervical screening isn’t always an easy test, and the pandemic has added additional challenges.
"We’re so pleased that Steph is showing what having a test is like live on TV, helping to break down taboos and encouraging much-needed conversations.
“Thank you to Steph and Dr Naomi for reminding people just how important this potentially life-saving test can be. For anyone with worries or questions about cervical screening or results, do visit our website or call our free helpline.”
Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.
