A charity has issued a warning ahead of the final Jade Goody documentary episode
Tonight, the final episode in the three-part Jade Goody documentary series airs on Channel 4. Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain relived Jade's rise to fame on Big Brother at the age of 20, her subsequent public demise following the racism row, and her untimely death from cervical cancer at just 27.
But ahead of the third episode, charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has issued a warning to viewers, urging them to be sensitive surrounding the issue of cervical screenings.
As we well know, Jade Goody's death could have been prevented. The reality TV star's cervical cancer ultimately progressed to being terminal because she ignored her 'abnormal' smear test results, and failed to go back for regular check-ups.
In previous cervical screenings, Jade had been found to have 'pre-cancerous cells' on her cervix, which she'd had removed three times. But following a fourth abnormal cell result, the Big Brother star admitted she ignored the letter requesting further investigation because she had been too scared to go back to the hospital.
With the internet, and Twitter in particular, being a marketplace for sharing opinions - often harsh ones - Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust fears there may be a flood of critical comments following tonight's episode about women being 'stupid' if they fail to attend their smear tests.
But in reality, there are a multitude of very valid reasons why some women may not feel comfortable undergoing cervical examinations.
"It has been fantastic to see that the documentary is generating conversations about cervical screening, especially on social media. Cervical screening saves lives and at a time when attendance is falling it is great to see people sharing support, tips and talking about the importance of the test," Kate Sanger, Head of Communications at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said in a statement.
"However, we are asking those watching the programme to be sensitive to the fact that while for many it is a straightforward test, for others cervical screening can be difficult. This can include survivors of sexual violence, women with conditions such as vaginismus and those who are affected by anxiety or PTSD."
The charity's statement continued: "No one is silly or stupid for having questions, concerns or fears about cervical screening. There shouldn’t be any blaming or shaming involved. So let’s be kind and mindful with our words and create a space online where people can do that."
Jade Goody was told she had cervical cancer in August 2008, while starring in the Indian version of Big Brother following the racism row over her treatment of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty.
The cancer was found to be "advanced and life-threatening", and just six months after the initial diagnosis, Jade Goody's publicist confirmed the cancer had spread to her liver, bowel and groin. The news was made public that Jade's cancer was terminal, and the TV star made an immense effort to campaign to raise awareness of the importance of smear tests in the prevention of cervical cancer.
On 22 March, 2009 - just one month after marrying her boyfriend Jack Tweed in a ceremony at Down Hall Country House Hotel in Essex - Jade Goody died at her home. She was just 27.
In the wake of her death, 400,000 more women booked cervical screening appointments and, as Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust notes, "she undoubtedly saved lives by raising awareness of the disease."
However, the 'Jade Goody effect', as it was coined, was short-lived. Cervical screening attendance is now lower than ever.
For that reason, the charity is keen to urge women of the importance of having regular smear tests (on average they will take place once every three years for women over 25), while simultaneously reminding the public that there can be totally understandable reasons why these intimate examinations may not be suitable for all.
The final episode of Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain airs tonight, Wednesday 21 August, at 9pm on Channel 4.
For more information about any aspect of cervical cancer and prevention, visit the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust wesbite or call their free helpline on 0808 802 8000.
Follow Cat on Twitter.
You Might Also Like
