Love Island star Shannon Singh reveals she has been checked THREE times for cancer

Love Island’s Shannon Singh has revealed that she received treatment three times after finding abnormal cells in her reproductive organs – and that her mum was also diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.

Shannon, who just this week took part in a gynaecological cancer awareness campaign with Miss Pap and the Eve appeal, opened up to her fans about her own personal history of cancer.

In a candid Instagram video, she said: ‘I really wanted to hop on board about this one and chat about it because it is something that is really close to my heart.

Candid: Love Island’s Shannon Singh has revealed that she received treatment three times after finding abnormal cells in her reproductive organs

‘There’s over 21,000 women a year that get diagnosed with this type of cancer.’

Shannon also revealed her own mum battled cancer following a diagnosis.

She said: ‘My mum has been diagnosed with this type of cancer. Luckily my mum is all good so we’ve went through it as a family and I just think for young women the screening is for over twenty fives.’

She revealed her own ‘awful’ experience saying: ‘I’m 23. I’ve been referred the gynaecologist from when I was eighteen. I’ve had three lots of abnormal cells burnt away and I just want to spread awareness for girls that are under twenty five especially.

Opening up: She also revealed that her mum was diagnosed with gynaecological cancer, but has since made a full recovery

WHAT IS VAGINAL CANCER?

Vaginal cancer is a very rare disease that starts in the vagina and most commonly affects women over 60.

Around 250 women in the UK and 5,170 in the US are diagnosed with the condition every year.

Symptoms rarely develop during the early stage of the disease but can include:

Unexpected bleeding, such as between periods, after the menopause and post sex
Vaginal discharge that smells or is blood stained
Vaginal pain during intercourse or when urinating
Vaginal lump or growth
Vaginal itch
Persistent pelvic pain

As many as 20 per cent of sufferers have no symptoms at all.

The above are also more likely to a sign of another condition, such as an infection.

More than seven out of 10 cases occur in women over 70. The disease is very rare in women under 40.

READ RELATED: Where's next for Tier Four?

The STI HPV is present in over two-thirds of patients.

Abnormal cells in the cervix or vagina are also associated with the cancer. These may be detected during routine cervical screenings.

Surgery is the most common treatment. This may involve removing:

The upper section of the vagina
All of the vagina and the pelvic lymph nodes
All of the vagina, womb, ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic lymph nodes
All of the vagina and surrounding tissue, including the bladder and rectum

Chemo and radiotherapy may also be required.

Source: Eve Appeal

<!—->

‘You know your body better than anybody else. Please go an checked if you think anything is wrong. Make sure you are persistent. I’m still getting checked.’

Shannon admitted her problems began in her teens.

She added: ‘I’ve never really spoken to anyone about this on social media before but I had a really tough time when I was a teenager with bleeding and things like that.

Let’s talk: Shannon, who just this week took part in a gynaecological cancer awareness campaign with Miss Pap and the Eve appeal, opened up to her fans about her own personal history of cancer

‘So yeah I’ve been through a whirlwind of things. I think it’s just really important to speak about it. You guys know I’ve done the I Love Mine campaign.’

She also said she was keen for the age of screenings to be lowered so that women under 25 can get regularly checked.

She said: ‘So if you are young and under twenty five I know we can’t get screenings – please go and get checked.

‘It was kind of awful going through what I went through and then obviously my mum. I’m obviously vigilant because my mum’s had cancer down there. So yeah please donate if you can. I would love for the age to be lowered. I’m sure a lot of women would.’