Chloe Delevingne had a smear test live on TV today in a bid to raise awareness of cervical cancer and banish fears about screening.
Thirty-three-year-old Chloe, the sister of model and actress Cara, took part in Friday’s segment on BBC News’ Victoria Derbyshire show (Friday 25 January) and was praised by viewers for it.
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Although her modesty was protected at all times by a white towel, Chloe was seen having her cervix swabbed by Dr Philippa Kaye.
The short segment was shown as part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, just days after the shocking news that the number of women having a smear test has dropped in recent years.
This despite the high profile death of reality TV star Jade Goody in 2009 after a tragically young diagnosis of cervical cancer.
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Before the procedure, the mother-of-two admitted the thought of having a smear test – which aims to pick up abnormal cells that could lead to cancer if untreated – was a bit “nerve-wracking”.
However, she went on to say it “was not painful, just a bit weird”.
Chloe admitted the thought of having the regular check-ups used to scare her – until she was told she had pre-cancerous cells and had to have part of her cervix removed.
‘It’s not painful, it’s just a bit weird’@cdelevingne has a cervical smear test on our programme.
It was performed by @drphilippakaye who says ‘information is power’ and hopes it will empower women who feel nervous or embarrassed. pic.twitter.com/NNuWbp2jNU
— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) January 25, 2019
She said: “If I had not seen my doctor, I may not have been able to have children.”
Those watching from home praised Chloe for helping to break down the stigma, with one tweeting: “Amazing from @cdelevingne – a smear test live on air to raise awareness for the need for screening.”
Another said: “Great to see that #VictoriaLIVE will be showing a cervical smear test live. Hopefully it’ll show women who are apprehensive about it, what the process involves and how it is conducted. Anything to improve screening rates.”
A third added: “Really inspiring to see @cdelevingne having her smear test live on air to raise awareness of their importance @CervicalScreen1.”
Showing what a smear test is all about on #VictoriaLIVE with @cdelevingne and @drphilippakaye for @JoTrust and #SmearForSmear – breaking down stigma and taboo around this potentially life-saving test pic.twitter.com/KaxC0ORvNa
— Kate Sanger (@katesanger_) January 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/MissAlexandraKk/status/1088747795794808833
https://twitter.com/robmcd85/status/1088743562844536832
Amazing from @cdelevingne – a smear test live on air to raise awareness for the need for screening. pic.twitter.com/ai4zmSPTty
— Catrin Nye (@CatrinNye) January 25, 2019
Live smear test on @vicderbyshire programme on @BBCNews. Great idea, helps demystify the process, making it less daunting for those maybe holding back from getting tested. #WomensHealth
— Stéphanie Bosset 🎥 (@39_stephs) January 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/foodie_travels/status/1088746971958005761
“Live smear test on @vicderbyshire programme on @BBCNews. Great idea, helps demystify the process, making it less daunting for those maybe holding back from getting tested,” said another.
Cervical screening saves around 5,000 women’s lives in the UK each year, however shocking figures from NHS Digital show that only 71 per cent of women are up to date on screening – with 4.95million being overdue.
Many celebrities have been sharing selfies with smeared lipstick on social media for part of the #SmearforSmear campaign, which also aims to raise awareness.