A GREENOCK woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer has told how she still wrestles with her decision to opt for surgery which means she can't have any more children.

Jaclyn Johnstone went for a routine smear test and a few months later was being told she had cancer at the age of 28.

It was a life-changing moment which meant she faced huge decisions.

Jaclyn, who already had a daughter Caitlyn Lynsey, now three, had to act quickly following the diagnosis and admits she looks back and wonders what might have been.

She said: “Between the diagnosis and my next appointment I was meant to get a call explaining my options but for some reason it didn’t happen.

“I was meant to go in to the next appointment having discussed and decided on the next steps.

"But I went in not knowing anything and had to make a decision there and then.”

Jaclyn desperately wanted to be free of the cancer and at the time opted to have a radical hysterectomy.

She said: “On the day I was mind strong and knew I just wanted rid of the cancer.

“However, looking back now, I wish I had frozen my eggs and been able to give Caitlyn a sibling.

"Seeing her now I think if I had the chance to go back I’d have made a different decision but at the time we just had to deal with the cancer.”

The 30-year-old says she was so stunned when she was told about her test results that she could barely take the news in.

She told the Tele: “I went for the test assuming that like previous times everything would be fine.

“I got a letter through saying there were abnormalities and I was to attend for a biopsy.

“The time between the biopsy and the results was horrible.

"I hated waiting but I still thought it was just an error as I didn’t have any symptoms.

“I went for the original appointment in July and in the September was being told I had cervical cancer.

“I didn’t hear much after they said cancer.

"I was really angry and I couldn’t understand why me.

"No one ever wants to hear they have cancer, especially not at 28.”

Despite now having the all-clear from the disease Jaclyn still suffers the effects and has issues with her mobility and struggles with stairs.

But she says she feels lucky that she went for the test and the cancer was detected early enough.

She said: “I don’t think you ever totally get back to the way you were before.

"I have problems with my left side and rely on my partner and family for help, but it could have been worse if I didn’t go to the appointment.

“I know the number of people attending for the smear test has dropped but people really need to go.

“I went thinking it was just a routine appointment and had even missed one previously myself but anything can come from it.

“I was fortunate and they caught it and I’d urge people to go.”

Jaclyn says her partner David has been her rock and her dad Peter, mum Yvonne, brother Craig and her aunt Jac have also been a tower of strength for her.

In a bid to give back Jaclyn has organised a ladies day at her local bowling club, Rankin Park, on May 23 with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to it and I have asked everyone to wear bright colours.

"I will be wearing teal and I am hoping everyone will join in and it will be a bright fun day.

“Everyone at the bowling club has been a great support and I already have around 40 people participating with more attending.

“I'd like to thank all my family and friends for their support and all the local businesses who have donated raffle prizes.

“Without fundraising Cancer Research UK can’t help.

"The radical hysterectomy I received was a relatively new process at the time and fundraising will help them find more new cures and processes and I just hope I raise a good amount."

To donate to Jaclyn's appeal visit https://bit.ly/2Jk1lAW