A BEITH mum whose daughter’s cervical cancer was found in time to be successfully treated is urging women to attend their smear tests.

Fiona Brown, 58, spoke of daughter Laura’s strength as part of the #MySurvivor campaign. The Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign encourages people to act early if they have a potential symptom or are invited for screening.

Laura McAdam was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016, at the age of 31.

Fiona said: “My head was like a washing machine, I had so many questions. I kept thinking it should have been me, it felt so unfair and she was so young. I never showed Laura how I felt but when I was by myself, I broke down.”

Laura underwent a hysterectomy in January 2017 and was scheduled for five-weeks of precautionary chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But after a tear was detected in her bladder, the decision was made to cancel the treatment. Laura had a bladder operation and now attends scans every six months to monitor her recovery.

Fiona said: “I tried to be there for Laura as much as I possibly could during her appointments. I drove her to hospitals I didn’t even know existed, took her to after care appointments and brought her back home afterwards.

“I’ve always been quite a campaigner for smear tests – I tell everyone to go. You get the odd woman thinking ‘what I don’t know won’t hurt me’, but that’s a really dangerous attitude. It takes two seconds and then it’s over before you know it. When my mum was in her 60s, I even made her go for her very first smear test.

“I’m so grateful to the doctor who picked up Laura’s cancer through regular check-ups, particularly as the cancer was very far up in her cervix. I will love that man till my last breath, every time I see him, I want to hug him.”

Laura added: “My mum has been amazing. She suffered with me and gave me so much support when I needed it most. She’s my best friend. I was diagnosed early thanks to attending a regular smear test and I’m so grateful that my cell changes were picked up early enough – it saved my life. I had no symptoms whatsoever before that, so I know first-hand how important it is to attend screenings, even if nothing seems wrong. All the hospital staff have been fantastic throughout all this and I can’t thank them enough for their care.”