Jasmin McKee, a 26-year-old from Hampshire, UK, is urging women to stay on top of their health after a cervical cancer diagnosis turned her life upside down. At 25, she mistook her symptoms for side effects of her copper coil contraceptive, a common mistake that delayed her seeking help. Her story is a powerful reminder to never skip routine cervical screenings, especially as the UK adjusts its screening guidelines.
In the UK, women used to get cervical screenings every three years, but NHS England recently extended this to five years for those without an HPV history. McKee first noticed issues in 2023, like lower back pain and bleeding after sex, but thought her contraceptive was to blame. Nervous about online horror stories, she put off her HPV screening. When she finally went in March 2024, tests showed she was HPV positive with a high number of abnormal cells, despite having the HPV vaccine in school, which reduces but doesn’t eliminate cancer risk.
The diagnosis of stage three cervical cancer, which had spread to nearby tissue, left McKee in shock. She delayed telling her family, wanting to shield them from worry. “It was hard to process,” she said. “I didn’t want my grandparents or loved ones to feel scared.” After surgery in November 2024 and radiotherapy in January 2025 failed, she started chemotherapy in April, with treatment ongoing until September 2025.
Unable to work, McKee launched a GoFundMe to cover living costs. Her experience has fueled her mission to encourage women to book their screenings. She’s frustrated with the NHS’s decision to extend screening intervals, feeling it downplays women’s health. “Five years is too long,” she said. “Early detection can make all the difference.” Regular screenings, she stresses, are a small step that could prevent a life-changing diagnosis.
An NHS England spokesperson explained that the updated screening program uses more accurate tests, allowing low-risk women to be screened less often. Those with HPV are monitored more closely with extra tests and follow-ups. This tailored approach, backed by scientific evidence, aims to provide better care while minimizing unnecessary procedures, ensuring women get the protection they need.
