In a candid revelation, well-known comedian and actor Diona Doherty has opened up about her “guilt” and “stupidity” over going 12 years without a cervical smear test, only to be diagnosed with severe pre-cancerous cell changes. The 36-year-old mum-of-two shared her experience on a podcast earlier this week, urging other women to prioritise their personal health.
Doherty disclosed that she had a “niggling feeling” to book a smear test after realising she had only had one when she was 25 years old. However, she assumed she would be fine as she had no symptoms. It was only when her GP informed her of the “moderate level of pre-cancerous cells” that the gravity of the situation hit home.
“Mainly because I’m a mum of two really young kids,” Doherty said, expressing the sense of urgency and guilt she felt for delaying her screening for so long. She was then told that she was actually at a “severe level of pre-cancerous cells” and was offered immediate treatment.
Doherty underwent a procedure where her pre-cancerous cells and a part of her cervix were removed. She emphasised the importance of women and their employers making time off work for health appointments a priority, stating that “there needs to be much more leniency” to allow people to attend these “life-saving” appointments.
According to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, an average of 84 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer each year between 2018 and 2022. Doherty’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular cervical screenings, which can detect early changes and prevent the development of cervical cancer.
“I know how it feels to constantly postpone your smear and now be in a world of regret for having done that,” Doherty said. “I cannot recommend enough just booking your smear right now.”
Her message is a powerful call to action for all women to prioritise their health and not delay their cervical screenings, as Doherty’s story demonstrates the potentially life-saving impact of early detection and intervention.