Mum's dying wish to help
THE parents of a 23-year-old who died from cervical cancer are carrying out their daughter's dying wish by campaigning for smear tests to be offered to under-25s.
Claire Allan, of Cross Heath, died in August – just 14 months after being diagnosed with the disease.
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CAMPAIGN: Claire Allan, who died in August after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Below, Claire's stepfather Clive Brackley and mum Michele.
The mother-of-two was told she had cancer three months after giving birth to her second daughter in March 2008.
Claire, who lived with partner Mike McGovern and daughters Megan, now aged six, and 22-month-old Millie-May, in Hassam Avenue, Newcastle, had asked a GP for a smear test but was told she was too young.
Now her parents have started a national campaign to get the age for cervical screening reduced from 25 to 20.
And they have already collected almost 400 signatures on a Downing Street petition calling for a change in the rules.
Cervical cancer screening has been limited to women aged 25 and over since 2004 because so few under-25s were found to have the disease.
But mum Michele Brackley, aged 43, says Claire could be alive today if she had been allowed a smear test in her early 20s.
The payroll pensions assistant said: "We want to show how important it is to have a smear test and that even women under 25 should be given the opportunity to have one.
"If Claire had had one, I think she would still be here now as it would have shown something abnormal.
"Claire did ask a GP for a test but she was told she was too young – too young for a smear, but not too young to get cervical cancer.
"It was Claire's wish that we start a campaign to get the age of smear tests put back to 20, which it was from 1994 to 2004.
"She had wanted to organise this but the disease took hold so aggressively that she did not have the chance.
"She used to say, 'When I'm better mum', but sadly she never got the chance."
Stepfather Clive Brackley, a 53-year-old accountant, said: "We will do whatever we can to get the age for smear tests put back.
"If Claire had been given the chance to have a test she might still be with us today.
"The cancer took over and prevented her living her life with her partner and two beautiful daughters who are now growing up without their mother."
To add your name to the petition visit http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/smear20.
Young mum had everything to look forward to: See Page 14
Comment: Page 10
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by Carla, Newcastle
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 12:35PM
“I knew Claire. Her little girl was my daughters close friend. I feel for all the members of the family and will sign whatever petition is necessary. I think that the age for a smear test should be reduced to at least 20 younger if children are born before this age. I know that 20 years ago, when you started taking the contraceptive pill you were automatically given a smear test I know this is a long time but has it changed? All be it every 5 years but you were given one.”
by shirley, buxton
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 11:52AM
“Please put the petition on-line
I am sure every woman in England will sign it if they get the chance. It is utterly outrageous that smears are not available until the age of 25, and even more so that Scotland , Wales and probably Northern Ireland still have them at a much younger age. What on earth goes on in the minds of our Government ministers! I often wonder how they sleep at night!!”
by gemma, stoke
Monday, January 11 2010, 11:00PM
“This is a very sad story and my thoughts are with the family.
I just wanted to add that i am 23 and a mum of two and after some nagging from my partner i went to the G.U.M clinic at stafford hospital and was offered or told to have a smear. I have just had the results back which show some abnormalities, im now glad i went. So, if the GP refuses, this has to be worth a try.
In the meantime, best of luck with the petition.”
by Maggie, western US
Monday, January 11 2010, 10:38PM
“It is a known fact and supported by much medical literature that smear tests prevent through early detection cervical cancer, no matter what the age. For those under 25, there is now a vaccine, at least available in the US and Canada. In the US the campaign for young women to get the vaccine is "Just one more woman", if just one more woman got the vaccine then that is one more woman who won't die of cervical cancer.”
by Ellen, Dresdan
Monday, January 11 2010, 10:26PM
“After reading about Claire Allen's dying wish for her parents to carry on campaigning for smear tests to be offered to under 25s I am in full support and would urge everyone no matter what their age to sign this petition. Cervical cancer can be treated if caught early which is what smear tests allow. I also feel more education is needed in schools about cervical cancer and the important of smears . I didnt really understand much about cervical cancer and smear tests until I read a leaflet from the NHS. I had no education about it at school. I would like to conclude this by saying this story has really touched me and it is really sad that a young loving mum who asked for a smear test never got one!! I really hope something is done and my thoughts are with her family.”