Why brave Jade is an inspiration to every woman (From Southend Standard)

Why brave Jade is an inspiration to every woman

6:00pm Monday 9th February 2009

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A MUM who beat cervical cancer has hailed Big Brother star Jade Goody as inspirational for her attitude to battling the disease.

Mandie Nicholl, from Southend, was diagnosed with cervical cancer ten years ago.

She has been battling against recurring bouts of the disease ever since, but was given the all-clear two months ago.

The 38-year-old has been following Jade’s plight in the media and says it has made her think about what could have happened to her.

She said: “I was so shocked when I saw Jade on TV. It scared the living hell out of me.

“My heart went out to the poor girl. I just wanted to give her a big hug.

“I wish it could all be OK for her, like is for me now.

“I’ve got children myself, so I can’t begin to think how she’s feeling, or how her family are coping.”

Mandie said she thought 27-year-old Jade’s decision to go on television was inspirational.

She said: “She is not doing it for money. She’s doing it to raise awareness of the condition. Hopefully, it will encourage other people to get themselves checked.

“I think what she is doing is very brave. No one wants to have people see them after their hair has fallen out. It’s a very private time, you just want to be with your family.

Mandie also said she was in favour of the new human papillomavirus vaccine, an anti-cancer treatment being given to schoolgirls, but thought it should be made available to all women, instead of just young girls.

She said: “Every woman is at risk, so the vaccine should be available to every female on earth.

“My middle daughter has had the vaccine and I’m so happy to know she’s protected against cervical cancer.

“But my 19-year-old daughter hasn’t had it and it’s not nice knowing one of your children is still at risk of that horrible disease.”

The plight of Jade, who shot to fame after appearing in the 2002 series of Big Brother, has seen a surge in young women going for cancer screening tests.

The mother-of-two was diagnosed with cervial cancer in August last year.

She has since learned the cancer has spread to her liver, bowel and groin.

Last week, she discharged herself from hospital to join sons Bobby, five, and Freddie, four, at their home near Waltham Abbey.

But she returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital, in London, after becoming violently ill and collapsing.

Doctors are now working to prolong her life, rather than to cure the cancer.

She told a national newspaper: “I am devastated. I am frightened and I am angry. I don’t want to die because I have so much to live for.

“The reality is, I have gone from a 40 per cent chance of a cure to seeing how long I can stay alive.”

Jade was first told of her cervical cancer in the diary room of the Indian version of Big Brother and flew home for emergency treatment.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK director of cancer information, said: “We’re incredibly sad to hear this news. Our thoughts are with Jade and her young family at this difficult time.

“Jade’s story has made a lot more people seek information about cervical cancer.

“We hope her plight will encourage every woman who receives an invitation to attend cervical screening to do so without delay.

“But any woman, no matter what age, who has symptoms which give cause for concern, like bleeding between periods, should discuss them with their doctor.”

Rob Music, director of Jo’s Trust, the UK cervical cancer charity, said: “This sad news highlights the fact cervical cancer affects women of all ages and this underlines the importance of attending regular screening.”

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