A manager at a Wigan GP surgery has shared her story of being diagnosed with cancer

Rachael Carey, operations manager at Pemberton Surgery, shared her story for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (January 19 to 25).

She was familiar with the importance of screening – but like many women, she had put it off.

Rachel, now 36 and from Newton, said: “I knew cervical screening mattered, but I was nervous. With it being my first time, I’d never quite made the space for it.”

But when a friend was referred for a colposcopy and asked Rachael for advice, it prompted her to book a screening appointment.

Just days after the screening, Rachael was invited for a colposcopy.

She expected a routine follow‑up phone call two weeks later, but was asked to attend a face‑to‑face appointment instead.

“That’s when the consultant told me I had cervical cancer,” she said. “They said that if I’d continued to delay my screening, it could have been a completely different story.”

Rachael was treated at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and had a large section of her cervix removed, along with pelvic lymph nodes.

Thankfully, no further cancer was found and no further treatment was needed.

Rachael has since attended annual follow‑up screenings and colposcopy appointments, and now awaits official discharge, when she will move to less frequent screenings.

The diagnosis affected her family, friends and colleagues, but being part of a close GP practice team helped her through difficult moments.

Rachael said: “My colleagues were shocked to see me in work the day after my diagnosis, but working in a GP surgery along with my mum meant I was surrounded by people who understood and supported me every step of the way.”

A few days later, after sharing her story on social media, the practice nurse told her a patient had been encouraged to book her screening – something Rachael says meant everything to her.

Rachael, who has a partner and two stepchildren, is now urging women to not delay their cervical screening appointments.

She said: “Please don’t put your cervical screening off. I was young, fit and busy – but screening caught my cancer early. If I’d waited any longer, things could have been so different. It takes a few minutes and could save your life.”

Cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 every five years. The test looks for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and if found, the sample is checked for any changes in the cells of the cervix. These can be treated to help prevent cervical cancer.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, regional director of commissioning for NHS England in the North West, said: “Cervical screening saves thousands of lives every year and stories like Rachael’s show just how important it is to attend when you’re invited.

“We know life is busy and some people feel worried about the test, but our staff are here to help and support you. If you’ve received an invitation for screening, or if you’re overdue, please make an appointment – it could save your life.”

If you have been invited for your first screening, or missed your last appointment, contact your GP practice now.