Cancer takes no prisoners. Regardless of wealth, sex, age, health, lifestyle.

It doesn’t discriminate. It just kills.

Which is why today’s story about Becky Jarvis, the 27-year-old Witney mother who died of cervical cancer before her son’s second birthday is so poignant.

Doctors discovered the cancer after Miss Jarvis was screened at the age of 26.

Current Government policy is that women aged 25 and above are screened, and an independent review following the death of celebrity Jade Goody in 2009 found in favour of the law, stating smear tests before 25 risked unnecessary treatment which could lead to later complications in pregnancy.

In light of his daughter’s death, Miss Jarvis’s father has called for all young women of childbearing age to be checked on a regular basis so they and their families can avoid what the Jarvis family have suffered.

His heartfelt plea again underlines the importance of women insisting their health be monitored regularly.

Some, of course, are anxious about such tests, for a variety of reasons.

But the fact remains that only by regular testing can cancer be caught early, with time enough to be treated swiftly and successfully.

So no matter what your worries might be, talk honestly with your doctor today, and allow them to alleviate your fears and implement the appropriate tests immediately.