Former Coronation Street actress and Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Leach has revealed her emotional journey after undergoing a procedure to remove pre-cancerous cells from her cervix. Leach, 25, shared her experience on TikTok, detailing how her first-ever smear test revealed she was HPV positive and had high-grade pre-cancerous cells.
These cells, if left untreated, have the potential to develop into cervical cancer. Following a colposcopy and biopsy that confirmed the initial findings, Leach underwent a LLETZ procedure, a method that uses a heated wire loop to remove the abnormal cells.
Leach described feeling overwhelmed and crying during the procedure, calling it an emotional release after a period of uncertainty. She explained the process involved local anesthetic, making the removal of cells by the heated wire loop painless, though the anesthetic injection itself was uncomfortable.
"I just all of a sudden got really overwhelmed and started crying. I don't know why. I just felt really emotional," Leach shared, noting the support from the medical staff who made her feel comfortable. "Then to finally have them like removed, I've just I don't know. It just felt like a bit of a relief."
Her results confirmed the successful removal of CIN1 and CIN2 cells. Leach expressed her relief and urged her followers to prioritize regular smear tests, emphasizing their life-saving potential. She noted that while the procedure can sometimes be uncomfortable, the importance of attending screenings outweighs any potential discomfort.
A smear test screens for abnormal cervical cells, and removing them can prevent the development of cervical cancer. In the UK, the NHS invites women aged 25 to 49 for screenings every three years. In the United States, screening typically begins at age 21 and occurs every three years until age 65. Changes in cervical cells are often linked to the human papilloma virus (HPV).