Chanelle Hayes shared a clip of her swab test on Wednesday to spotlight Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
The former Big Brother star, 35, who is training to be a nurse, revealed she posted the video after 98 percent of her followers voted in a poll to witness the procedure.
In the clip, she first spoke about Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and said she wanted to emphasize how the quick process of taking a small sample of swabs from the cervix could save someone’s life.
Raising awareness: Chanelle Hayes shared a clip of her swab test on Wednesday and spoke about Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and how the quick process could save someone’s life
The footage also showed her grinning in close-ups of her face while the test was being administered, revealing that it’s “painless” and “over in a minute”.
She ended the clip by saying, “All done, back in the car,” and gave a thumbs-up.
Chanelle captioned the post: “January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and last week 98 percent of you who responded to my survey said you would like to come with me to my cervical cancer screening.”
“For us vagina owners, it’s VERY VERY important to stay up to date with our cervical screenings because it buys us time and knowledge that we wouldn’t otherwise have.
Painless: The footage also showed her preparing for the test, grinning in close-ups of her face while the test was being administered, revealing that it’s “painless” and “over in a minute”.
“Previous estimates suggest that screening prevents 70 per cent of cervical cancer deaths, but 83 per cent of deaths could be prevented if everyone attended regularly (NHS, 2022).
‘Does it hurt? No, they use the smallest tools available to ensure patient comfort.
‘Is it embarrassing? Sitting open-legged and no pants is never great, but decency is assured at all times, behind curtains, sheets of modesty, escorts if desired.
‘What actually happens? A qualified professional will remove a small sample of cells from your cervix using a soft swab.
Simple: The 35-year-old reality star ended the clip by saying, “All done, back in the car,” and gave a thumbs-up after encouraging her followers to cut their corners
‘How long does it take? With a few deep, calming breaths and a nice chat with the nurse performing the procedure, it will be over in MINUTES!!
‘Why would I want to do that? Put simply, this screening could save your life.
“I just wanted to share this experience with you (as a patient with a vagina, not as a student or healthcare professional) because by participating in our cervical screening, we empower ourselves to take an active role in our own healthcare.
“Piiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, please spread the word DON’T FEAR THE EXIT!!”
Important: Chanelle captioned it, “January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and last week 98% of you who took my survey said you would like to come to my cervical cancer screening.”
It comes after Chanelle revealed earlier this week that she has been diagnosed with arthritis.
Chanelle took to her Instagram to share the health update with her followers after recently undergoing tests.
In a candid clip, she said: “Tomorrow, I just had a call from the doctors regarding the results of an X-ray I had taken.
“And considering I’m only 35 years old, I’ve now been diagnosed with arthritis in both hips.
“A little bit annoyed to say the least because I feel like it’s going to prevent me from doing things I need to do.”
She went on to explain that her specific diagnosis is osteoarthritis, which causes the joints to become painful and stiff.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK.
She then reached out to her social media followers for tips, saying, “Is there anyone else who was diagnosed with arthritis in their 30s who can send me the light at the end of the tunnel?”
Candid: The Big Brother star took to her Instagram on Tuesday to share a health update with her followers after she recently had tests
Many responded with their tips and suggestions, one of which recommended using a heat pack.
Chanelle posed with a hot water bottle, then wrote, “Love my hot water bottle, physical therapist mentioned steroid injections…might give them a whirl.”
Another follower then suggested she get a second opinion, to which she replied, “I always agree that knowledge is power and we should be asking more questions about our healthcare.”
She went on to explain, “I tried physio and they referred me for a pelvic x-ray because the symptoms were getting worse and rehabilitation exercises weren’t useful.”
Honestly: In one clip, she said: “I just had a call from the doctors regarding the results of an X-ray I had taken. And considering I’m only 35 years old, I was diagnosed with arthritis.
The diagnosis comes after a sobbing Chanelle admitted she feels “lost and overwhelmed” after a “garbage” start to 2023.
Chanelle certainly has a busy year ahead of her. The TV personality is studying to be a registered nurse and plans to have a full medical degree by 2024 and is a mother of two.
The TV personality shares her son Blakely, 11, with ex-partner Matthew Bates, with whom she dated between 2009 and 2010.
She also has Frankie, four, with Edward Oates, who she dated on and off from 2016-2017.
The reality star also has a wedding to plan after getting engaged to Dan, 40, last year after they were introduced to 2020 lockdown through a mutual friend.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans office. See www.samaritans.org for details.
What is a swab test?
A swab test detects abnormal cells on the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina.
Removing these cells can prevent cervical cancer.
Most test results come back clear, but one in 20 women will show abnormal changes in the cells in their cervix.
In some cases these need to be removed or can become cancerous.
Cervical cancer most commonly affects sexually active women between the ages of 30 and 45.
In the UK, the NHS Cervical Screening Program invites women aged 25 to 49 to have a swab every three years, women aged 50 to 64 every five years and women over 65 if not since age 50 have been investigated or previously had abnormal results.
Women must be registered with a GP to be invited for a test.
In the US, testing begins when women turn 21 and is done every three years until they turn 65.
Changes in cervical cells are often caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be transmitted during sex.