Cervical cancer scare woman in Kilimanjaro challenge

[dutchman]

A Coventry woman who overcame a cervical cancer scare is flying to Africa today to take on the challenge of a lifetime.



Paula Greenman was told by doctors a smear test she’d had done had shown abnormalities in 2007, and required treatment on cells before they turned cancerous.

While she was having tests, she turned to the Internet forum run by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – a charity supporting women suffering with cervical issues and their families.

After being given the all-clear, Paula began fundraising for them, and is heading to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with her partner Paul (pictured above).

Paula, whose sister had also had an abnormal smear several years previously, said: “There was a long period of time – about 6 weeks – where I didn’t know what was happening, whether I had cancer, how bad it was.”

“The support I got from just talking to women on the Jo’s Trust forum was amazing – it didn’t matter who you were, there was someone else there going through the exact same thing.”

“It helped to get me through the really dark times when you wonder what’s going on.”

Paula’s also strongly encouraging women in their 20s and 30s nervous about having smear tests to come forward:

“This is a cancer where there is a screening programme, and to not take it up is crazy. It’s so important that every single women attends.”

“There are so many women out there getting their letters through inviting them, and they’re not even going. The thing is, cervical cancer is so very preventable.”

To support Paula’s fundraising effort, click here.