How my story begins: Before my diagnosis, life was perfectly normal. I was fit and healthy and I married my best friend of 10 years 6 months before i was diagnosed.

My story begins August 2015. I had a general Pap smear and found abnormal cells. I then had a LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone - called LEEP in the US) procedure in September to remove the cells. This was unsuccessful. In October 2015, I had another procedure called cone incisions and by November 2015 i was diagnosed with stage 1 b1 cervical cancer. My diagnosis meant my treatment was to have either chemotherapy or a radical hysterectomy and keeping my ovaries. My husband and I chose to go with the radical hysterectomy.

How I felt after diagnosis: Totally shattered. To have everything that makes you a female taken from you was heartbreaking.

Telling my family and friends: I kept this to only close family and friends as i could not handle having everyone asking me questions or asking if i could ever have children... pretty sure the word hysterectomy speaks for itself.

My treatment: Treatment was surgery to remove my uterus. This was successful in removing the cancer.

What was most difficult for me: Coming to terms with not being able to have children was the hardest thing for me, especially with my husband and me only getting married 6 months before I was diagnosed.

My life after cancer: I am on 6 monthly checkups for 5 years to ensure the cancer is gone. We are going down the line of surrogacy to have our own child.

How I will try to help others: By telling my story, I want women to know that cervical cancer screening is so important. Keeping your body fit and healthy is also important.