THE daughter of a woman who died from cervical cancer is appealing to women to attend their smear tests after her mum ignored symptoms.

Lucy Jagger, 30, has urged women to attend their cervical screenings following the death of her mum six months ago.

Miss Jagger, who is a teacher at Walney School, is fulfilling her mum’s promise of promoting cervical smears among women of all ages.

Miss Jagger’s mum, Joanne Jagger, was just 47 years-old when she died, putting off three smear tests due to being “too busy” or “embarrassed”.

However, Miss Jagger is attempting to debunk this stigma.

She said: “Feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable for less than a minute is so much better than the alternative.

“It’s so much better than ending up like my mum.”

Doctors discovered a tumour in 2015 after Mrs Jagger complained of ongoing pains in her groin.

A year later, on the anniversary of her diagnosis, Mrs Jagger was told her cancer had returned and spread to her liver and stomach.

However, this failed to stop her relaying the message of awareness.

Mrs Jagger remained outspoken about women’s gynaecological cancers, determined to tackle the stigma and embarrassment associated with them.

Her daughter said one of her main concerns in the last few days before her death was that she would no longer be around to raise awareness.

She said: “She made me promise that I would continue to do this for her and that I would make it her legacy.

“I have discussed it at length with my grandma and we feel like we are ready to start to talk about her death and to continue her work in promoting awareness.

“Mum was determined on me continuing her message of spreading awareness.

“She wanted everyone to use her as an example and see what could happen if you missed these tests.”

Currently, the age bracket for cervical smears falls between 25 and 64, however, Miss Jagger thinks this should be lowered.

She said: “I think cervical smears should be offered once a girl is sexually active.

“The HPV virus, which causes cervical cancer, is transmitted via sex which it isn’t restricted to 25 and above.”

Since her mum’s death, Miss Jagger has felt a “huge hole” in her life.

She said: “Mum was such a massive part of everyone’s life.

“There was hundreds of people at her funeral - she was so well loved.”

In memory of her mum and raising awareness for cervical cancer, Miss Jagger is taking part in St Mary’s Hospice’s Walk to Remember alongside her Walney School colleagues.

The walk is taking place on Friday July 5. If you would like to make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walneyschool.