Miss Northamptonshire using title bid to raise cervical cancer awareness

Stephanie Smith hopes that her participation in the Miss Great Britain 2018 competition will allow her to highlight her campaign for a reduction in the age for cervical screening tests.

In England, young women aren’t invited until the age of 25 for a cervical screening test.

Stephanie was fortunate that her test at age 25 identified pre-cancerous cells that were able to be removed before cancer developed.

She was also moved to action whilst volunteering at a hospice she met a 19-year-old girl who later died from cervical cancer, leaving behind a partner and two small children.

Stephanie also feels that young women should be made more aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer such as unexplained bleeding to enable them to seek early medical help.

She believes that if young women were made aware of the symptoms, they would be more likely to seek help before their lives are put at risk.

Recently Kettering-based Stephanie has had to deal with many life-changing events has included a car accident which left her with serious injuries, seven subsequent operations, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and the loss of her father to cancer.

At the Miss Great Britain finals Stephanie will have to step out of her comfort zone to bare her scars during the swimwear round and battle through debilitating pain during the dance element.

She said: I hope that my efforts will inspire others to turn their lives around and achieve great things.

“I would love to represent Great Britain as well as Northamptonshire.”

To vote for Stephanie text 64343 to MISSGB 48 (texts cost £1 per text and can text up to 27 times per day) or call 0907 598 0605 and when prompted enter 48.