Scarlett Moffatt has revealed that she’s had abnormal cells removed from her cervix after having her latest smear test.
The Gogglebox star, 30, candidly detailed how she had a Lletz treatment, saying she was ‘anxious’ and ‘scared’ before the procedure as she didn’t know what to expect.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Scarlett said that she wished she hadn’t worried as it was over quickly and encouraged other women not to be concerned about having a ‘smear or for any follow up treatment’ as it could ‘literally save your life’.
Honest: Scarlett Moffatt has revealed that she’s had abnormal cells removed from her cervix after having a smear test
Explaining that she wants to use social media for good and put some information out there about the procedure, Scarlett started explaining what had happened.
Speaking about abnormal cells, she said: ‘They can be easily treated if they’re caught quickly but if they’re not and you leave your smear tests, then it can be devastating and can literally be life or death.
‘I know that sounds really horrific and I’m not saying that to scare you. I’m saying that to show you how this tiny procedure, which lasts no longer than five to 10 minutes – normally five minutes – can literally save your life.’
Scarlett then discussed her own medical history and told her fans: ‘I went for my cervical screening and it had abnormalities.
Unexpected: The star said she was nervous as she didn’t know what to expect and wants to help other women who may be looking for information on the Lletz procedure
‘I’ve had abnormalities for a couple of years now and then it wasn’t getting better. It wasn’t healing on its own. So an amazing nurse called Rachel who I’ve seen from the beginning said to me, I think it’s best that you get some treatment on this.’
Scarlett then chatted about the technicalities of the Lletz treatment saying: ‘They get an electric loop wire and remove all those nasty pre-cancerous cells… and I’m quite an anxious person and when I was looking for information on this I found a little bit online.. and on YouTube it was all weird stuff so I thought I’ll do a video.
‘You can be given an anaesthetic but due to the Covid situation and you’d have to self-isolate, I went for the local anaesthetic which they administer into your cervix.
Important: She encouraged other women not to be scared of having a cervical smear
All done now: Scarlett reassured fans that she was feeling fine a day after the treatment and just had a little discomfort
‘This sounds so scary and I’m not going to lie to you, because it was the unknown and I hadn’t heard anyone talk about this, I was so nervous. I cried, cried some more, literally cried so much,’ she candidly added.
She also said that her boyfriend Scott Dobinson supported her throughout the treatment, saying: ‘Scott was like, ‘ come on, you can do this, it’s really important’, so I braved up.
‘And the nurse said I could have gas and air to take the edge off it although literally its an injection so you might feel a bit of discomfort but then the numbness kicks in.’
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Scarlett added: ‘It’s such a simple procedure that is maybe heightened in our own minds because it’s such a sensitive and personal area but honestly, doctors and nurses see those bits all the time.
‘It’s so important that if they say there’s a treatment that can help prevent cancer, you take it…’
Speaking again about the procedure, Scarlett said: ‘Just make a joke of it, I know even saying it sounds so daunting but it’s really not, it’s just another thing to do at the hospital… And then it’s over.
‘I really worked myself up about it and I wish I hadn’t. I wish I’d seen a video like this so I knew there was actually nothing to be scared of.
‘It’s weird because you sort of fear the unknown. They took a biopsy, took all the abnormal cells out so fingers crossed all comes back well with that.’
She finished up the video by saying: ‘I might have some spotting and you’re not allowed any sexy time for four weeks and you can’t go in hot tubs, but then after that everything’s fine and dandy.’
Alongside the detailed video posted to her grid, Scarlett penned: ‘I really hope this helps at least one person. I scouted everywhere to find a video on this treatment to get rid of abnormal cells from your cervix and I just couldn’t.
‘I was scared about the unknown & wish someone had told me that it really isn’t bad or painful at all. A bit of discomfort that’s it, so please watch this & promise me you will go for that cervical smear or for any follow up treatment. It’s so important my lovely ladies ❤️ you’ve got this’.
Scarlett has always been open about her own smear tests and revealed in July that she may have to have her abnormal cervical cells removed.
Important: Scarlett Moffatt, 29, has revealed she may have to have her abnormal cervical cells removed, as she pleaded with viewers to get their smear tests
During an appearance on Lorraine, she told Christine Lampard: ‘My journey is that I had abnormal cells, I have to go every six months rather than every three years.’
Scarlett added that she’s speaking out to encourage viewers to get tested, insisting there’s nothing to be scared of.
She told Christine: ‘There’s stigma around it being scary, but it’s none of that.
‘A lot of people don’t know you can request a woman to do the procedure, you can ask them to insert a smaller object too. My friends thought it was just to test cervical cancer, but it’s to also prevent cancer.
‘You get asked to go when you’re 24 and a half, so maybe you haven’t had anyone look at that area. You don’t have to feel embarrassed.’
Support: Scarlett said her boyfriend Scott Dobinson supported her throughout the treatment, saying: ‘Scott was like, “come on, you can do this, it’s really important”, so I braved up’
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