Jeff Brazier has spoken out over Jade Goody’s tragic death again to remind others to get regular health checks to avoid her fate.
The Big Brother star was just 27 when she died of cervical cancer in 2009, leaving behind her sons with Jeff, Bobby and Freddie, then aged five and four.
Jade had missed having regular smear tests that could have picked up her cancer earlier and led to life-saving treatment. Sadly by the time she was diagnosed, the cancer had spread and efforts to save her failed.
Speaking of why Jade wasn’t on top of her health checks, Jeff told the Daily Express: “We were no longer together when she got ill so I don’t know whether it was forgetfulness or fear that prevented her from getting help sooner.
“Jade was this amazing, larger-than-life character and she had so many wonderful qualities but organisation wasn’t one of them.
“She was young and her health probably wasn’t a priority. But as I’ve since learnt, it needs to be top of everyone’s list.”
Jeff, who is now in a relationship with Kate Dwyer, said he “tries not to be bitter but it can be hard not to get angry” about the fact his sons have grown up without their mother, when she might still be alive if she’d been diagnosed earlier.
Read more: Former BBC Breakfast and Strictly star Bill Turnbull diagnosed with prostate cancer
It’s for this reason Jeff, 38, from Essex is now promoting the Crush Your FOFO (Fear Of Finding Out) campaign, which encourages people to get over a fear of having intimate health check-ups for the sake of their long-term health.
Jeff told his Instagram followers he’s already had an unpleasant prostate cancer check – despite it not usually being recommended to men until they are in their forties – because he wants to keep on top of his health.
He told his 68.1k followers via a video: “A bit of gratitude for today, firstly the headline’s got to be the prostate examination. A little finger where a finger doesn’t always belong… but the peace of mind it gives you.”
He said those few seconds of discomfort or embarrassment are worth it “all in the name of good health”.
These sentiments have also been echoed recently by Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull as they are now both undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Both admitted they delayed going to see a doctor to get a check-up, which is something they now regret as it could have led to earlier diagnosis.
Read more: Piers Morgan reveals his own prostate cancer scare following Bill Turnbull’s diagnosis
Stephen has had to have his prostate and 11 lymph nodes removed to fight the disease, while Bill is currently undergoing chemo as the cancer has spread to his bones.
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