TIPPERARY native Rozanna Purcell has urged women to be more aware of changes in their bodies after revealing doctors found pre-cancerous cells during a routine cervical smear recently.
The 27-year-old model and cookery author took to Instagram to share her story and admitted to feeling ashamed of not knowing much about cancer of the cervix.
"I was embarrassed about how little I knew about cervical cancer," she admitted on the social media site. "I have always been on top of my smear tests but presumed it was something that was hereditary, or just would never affect me."
Purcell, who won Miss Universe Ireland in 2010 and was offered a modelling contract by Donald Trump's management agency, said that if she hadn't questioned the symptoms she was experiencing, she wouldn't have gone for a test - and she would never have been diagnosed with having pre-cancerous cells.
"I was very fortunate to have symptoms because without them I would not have gone for testing again (and again). And luckily, because of this, I caught it early (pre-cancerous ) ... which means it's very easily treated."
She added that she hoped her Instagram post would help other women get help for any symptoms.
"Maybe it might just spur one person to go get checked. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the HPV virus which 80 per cent of us will come in contact with at some stage or another."
She urged her fellow Irish people to put women's health to the forefront of the national conversation following the recent Cervical Check scandal.
"We should be discussing women's health like everyday subjects. What has happened recently with the cervical check audit is unacceptable and there needs to be accountability.
"Women's health on all fronts needs to be made a priority we have so many opportunities to make this happen in the coming months and weeks," she said.
