Abigail Howes, from Cardiff, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of just 22, having been denied a smear test despite exhibiting worrying symptoms.

MPs are debating a plan on Monday to reduce the age for screening from 25 to 18 in an attempt to raise awareness and save lives.

Here, Ms Howes writes for Sky News about why she believes it's vital for the smear test age to be lowered.

Hearing the words "you have cancer" changes your life in ways you could never imagine and at 22 it was something I never thought I would hear.

At first it completely destroyed me. My life was just beginning and a cancer diagnosis certainly was not in my plans. I felt extremely scared, but also angry that no one had taken my symptoms more seriously sooner.


Image: She is calling for the smear test age to be lowered from 25 to 18

I started experiencing abnormal bleeding in my late teens. Over the next few years, as my symptoms worsened, I made several trips to my GP.

Doctors suggested various reasons as to what would could cause these problems, such as the contraception I was using, even down to it possibly being caused by an STI (sexually transmitted infection).

Each time I took their advice, changing my contraception and allowing doctors to take swabs to rule out any infections, but still my symptoms continued.

Then, in the summer of 2016, after suffering from fatigue, lower back pain, abnormal discharge and even more frequent unexplained bleeding, I went back to my doctors to ask for a smear test.

Image: Abigail has become involved with a number of cancer charities since her diagnosis

I was told that due to being under the age of 25, I could not have one - and that my symptoms were nothing to be concerned about.

Eventually a GP agreed to examine my cervix and upon doing so immediately referred me to my local gynaecology department for further urgent testing.

In November 2016, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

I was completely devastated upon hearing the news, but also thankful that I finally had an answer as to what had been causing all these symptoms for so long.

A week later, I was having my first operation to remove the cancer from my cervix and to stage my cancer, which also involved removing some lymph nodes to ensure that it had not spread.

I received the news that my cancer was Stage 1b1, and the standard treatment for this would be a full hysterectomy.

Being 22 and with no children, I was distraught, but thankfully my consultant agreed to carry out another operation, which removed more of my cervix to ensure the cancer was gone while leaving my fertility intact.

I am now two years cancer free and I am monitored regularly with smear tests, MRI scans and the odd examination under anaesthetic to ensure the cancer does not return.

I have also recently started treatment that involves injections to shut down my ovaries and essentially push my body into a forced menopause to help with the abnormal bleeding I still experience.

Looking back now, I am still coming to terms with the fact that I had a cancer that is so preventable. I have struggled since with anxiety and I am constantly having to deal with thoughts that the cancer will return.

It is heartbreaking that my age was a factor in all of this.

If my symptoms started at 25, I would have been able to partake in the cervical screening program - but being younger meant that it was never an option.

Having cancer has allowed me to meet several other young adults who have faced cancer diagnosis through some amazing charities, such as Trekstock and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Their support has been invaluable with my recovery and knowing I am not alone in this experience, but I strongly believe that screening should start at 18, as cancer does not discriminate when it comes to age.

If it can happen to me at 22, it can happen to anyone.

I also think that lowering the screening age to 18 would help normalise the conversation around cervical cancer and increase attendance rates - and hopefully stop other young women having to face the diagnosis I had.

What I would say to politicians is that you have the opportunity to change the way we see cervical cancer - it is not something that only happens to those over the age of 25, it can happen to any woman.

So why not make this cancer even more preventable from a younger age?