Family releases shocking last picture of model, 19, killed by cervical cancer after being refused smear test by doctors because she was too young

Sophie Jones, 1 9, of Merseyside, died of cervical cancer on Saturday



She suffered stomach cramps and knew something was wrong with her



But doctors refused her cervical smear test because she was under 25



Doctors initially blamed it on Crohn's disease but her condition worsened

She was admitted to hospital in November and vowed to fight 'to the end'

This is the last shocking picture of teenager Sophie Jones, who died of cancer after being refused a simple test that could have saved her life.

Sophie, 19, was told she was too young to have a smear test when she complained of crippling stomach pains last February.

She was only diagnosed correctly with cervical cancer in November, by which time the disease had spread all over her body.

Shocking: Sophie Jones, 19, of Eastham, Merseyside, in hospital, after cancer had taken its toll her body Modelling shots: Sophie Jones, of Eastham, Merseyside, had suffered crippling stomach pains for over a year before she was initially diagnosed with Crohn's disease, it was claimed She died on Saturday and yesterday her family released this haunting photo to show the cruel toll the cancer had taken, and to mark the start of a campaign to bring back smear tests for teenage girls. The NHS scrapped routine smears for under-25s in 2003 over concerns they could do more harm than good.

But the family of aspiring model Sophie say all young women who have symptoms and want one should automatically be given a test. The campaign – Sophie’s Choice – is backed by MPs and 225,000 signatures and calls for the minimum age for automatic tests to be cut to 16. Labour health spokesman Luciana Berger said: ‘Women can have a cervical smear test at any age if their doctor thinks it’s necessary to help in diagnosis, so we must understand what went wrong in this case to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.’ Sophie’s mother, Peri Cawley, 47, of Eastham, Wirral, held her daughter’s hand as she died but could not bear to look at her face.



Miss Jones was described by her sister, Stephanie, as 'a very calming influence on everyone around her'



'The life and soul of everything': Sophie Jones, 19, has died of cervical cancer after being refused a smear test

‘I couldn’t watch as she took her last breath,’ she said. ‘I held her hand. I could never say goodbye to Sophie because she will always be with me. ‘If we can do something to make sure this doesn’t happen to someone else, then Sophie’s death won’t have been in vain.’ She said: ‘The word “choice” in the campaign means that people should have just that – a choice. If a girl presents at a doctor’s with symptoms she should be given the pros and cons of being tested.’ Last Facebook picture: Miss Jones, who posted this photo two weeks ago, died early on Saturday morning

Killer disease: Miss Jones, from Eastham, was admitted to hospital in November after her condition worsened The family believe Sophie had the human papillomavirus vaccination. Poll Should routine cervical smear testing start younger than 25? Yes No, it's fine as it is Should routine cervical smear testing start younger than 25? Yes 13572 votes

No, it's fine as it is 750 votes Now share your opinion



The programme was introduced for girls in school in 2008 with the aim of eventually cutting the incidence of cervical cancer by up to 70 per cent. A spokesman for the Department of Health said: ‘This is a tragic case. The issue was last debated in Parliament in 2009, but the best independent evidence still shows that routine screening of women under 25 does more harm than good. ‘Cervical cancer in women under 25s is extremely rare. In 2011, there were 47 cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 and no deaths.’ Model: The teenager had suffered from stomach pains and was initially told she probably had Crohn's Disease

Miss Jones, pictured with her boyfriend Jake Molyneux, was 'in high spirits' the day she died, her sister said

Miss Jones' family and friends are now calling for younger women to be offered cervical cancer screening