A MUM-of-three has died suddenly after getting the all clear from cervical cancer.
Jay Griffin had previously encouraged other women to schedule their smear test after she missed hers because of the stress and strains of everyday life.
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Smear tests aren’t tests for cancer but can help prevent it by catching it early.
All women 25-64 years old should be invited to the funeral by mail. You should get them three times a year starting at 25.
Jay’s friends and family have now paid tribute to the ‘kind’ mum, who is survived by her sons Louis, 16, Jamie, 12, and 11-year-old Brandon.
Jay, 34-year-old Jay from Hitchin, Hertfordshire suffered a hemorhage and pelvic blood loss in April 2019.
Jay, 34, needed five blood transfusions. Her brave children called 999.
This experience led to Jay’s diagnosis of cervical cancer.
Jay did not die from cervical cancer. Her cause of sudden death has yet to be determined. She was declared cancer-free in late 2019.
Jay had to go through chemotherapy before she was given the all-clear in late 2019. In March last year she encouraged women to book their smear tests.
She said: “I think if anyone feels different about their body below or any concerns, just go and get in touch with your GP.
“I would say ‘look what happened to me’, the treatment I had done and the operations I had to have, the months and months of pain afterwards and all the side effects I’m having to deal with, it’s all much worse than a smear test.”
Jay advised people to get the Human papillomavirus, or HPV (HPV), jab at school. This protects against HPV type 16 and 18, which pose the greatest risk of cervical carcinoma.
Jay died on August 10, and her funeral took place on September 6.
‘WON’T BE FORGOTTEN’
Her friend of 18-years, Kellie-Amanda told HertsLive that Jay was an ‘all-round nice person’.
She said that Jay was a great mother to her three children. She was also a great friend and was always kind to everyone.
She was a single mother who supported others in times of need, even when she was going through cancer treatment.
“That’s one thing everyone has said about her, her kindness and support won’t be forgotten by anybody.”
What are the signs of cervical cancer?
Cervical carcinoma is any type of cancer that can be found anywhere in the cervical cervix.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
According to the NHS, screening can prevent most cases. This can help detect abnormalities and treat them before they become cancerous.
It can grow slowly and depending on its size, it can be very serious.
Know the signs
The main signs of cervical cancer are:
- Abnormal bleeding (during or after sex, between periods and also post-menopause)
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Discomfort or pain during sex
- Lower back pain
- Unintended weight loss
As the disease progresses it can also result in:
- increased need to pee
- blood in pee
- bleeding from the bottom
- diarrhoea
- incontinence
- lower limb swelling
Kellie-Amanda added that her children ‘adored her’ and that she did the best for her kids and her main goal was to be a good mum to them.
She added that she was ‘always so selfless and thinking of others’.
Jay was placed in remission by Jay on October 7.
Cancer Research figures show that there are approximately eight new cases of cervical carcinoma each day in the UK. This is roughly 3,200 per year.
Jay had previously praised the NHS for their treatment and said the doctors and nurses had been ‘lovely’.
‘HAPPY PLACE’
A GoFundMe page has now been set up in Jay’s memory, with the funds going towards sending her three children to Disneyland Paris.
When arranging Jay’s funeral, their grandparents asked them if there were any memories of their mum they wanted to include and Kellie-Amanda said they kept talking about their time at Disney together.
The GoFundMe page states: “Jay’s boys have special memories of going to Disneyland with Jay a couple of years ago. This was one of their best moments.
“We are asking for donations so the boys can go back to their happy place with their grandparents.
“Although this won’t take away their pain, it will at least put a smile on their little faces.”
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