About 1,100 women die from cervical cancer – the so-called ‘secret cancer’ – each year, and cases of the disease are rising in women aged 15-24.

‘Secret’ because it often strikes without symptoms or pain, cervical cancer has hit the headlines in recent months due to the Big Brother star Jade Goody.

The 27-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with the disease in August last year, too late to stop it spreading to her bowel, liver and groin.

Last week doctors gave her just weeks to live. In September 2008, Oxfordshire joined the national programme to vaccinate all 12 and 13 year old girls against cervical cancer.

Over 90 per cent have opted-in to the free programme. And in January this year, the jab became available to 17- and 18- year olds, with a 38 per cent take-up so far.

Oxford’s Radcliffe Hospitals (ORH) Trust, which is spearheading research, will host a fundraising event next month to pay for state-of-the-art treatment.

But vigilance among all women remains key, as mum-of-two Jane Matthews discovered. She was just 40, fit and healthy when cervical cancer hit.

She said: “I went for a routine smear test in November 2005 and was recalled with an anomaly in February 2006. At that point I was told this was quite common, so I didn’t worry.

“I had no gynaecological problems I knew of and even when I went in for a further test at the JR, I felt relaxed.”

The landscape architect from near Faringdon, continued: “When I got another letter saying they wanted to see me to discuss further treatment, my husband James was worried, but I still wasn’t. I didn’t feel there was anything wrong with me.

“But as soon as I met Prof Sean Kehoe he told me straight: ‘You have cancer.’ I can’t remember much more about that day other than being told I would need an operation.”

Mrs Matthews underwent a radical hysterectomy losing her cervix, ovaries, womb and some of her lymph nodes. However, her lymph nodes were clear, meaning her cancer had not spread and she didn’t need chemotherapy.

She said: “While I was elated the cancer had been taken away, I was hit very hard emotionally soon after. I was deeply affected by my loss of fertility.

“The smear test and the treatment had saved my life - without a doubt, but it look a long time to rebuild my life emotionally.”

Mrs Matthews said she has been deeply saddened by the news of Big Brother star Jade Goody’s fight with cancer Mrs Matthews said: “I was lucky. My cancer was found early and treated. Jade Goody’s has spread and she must be really suffering.

“Like many women with cervical cancer I had no symptoms – no idea. I now know it can strike anyone with little warning.”

Cervical smear tests can detect early changes in cells.

In England and Northern Ireland, women over the age of 25 are screened for cervical cancer every three years. In Scotland and Wales, screening starts at 20.

A Cancer Research UK study estimates the NHS screening programme, which was launched in 1988, has prevented an epidemic.

Dr Sean Kehoe, a leading gynaecological cancer expert based at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Thanks to screening we find smaller tumours, earlier, before they can spread.

“In previous years these would have been larger tumours at a later stage, so it’s vital that women have smear tests.”

For general information on the vaccine programme, go to immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV or call 0845 602 3303.

Symptoms to watch for

The most common symptom of cervical cancer is bleeding from the vagina between periods, or after or during sex.

Other symptoms can include vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant, or discomfort or pain during sex. However, cervical cancer screening by way of a smear test, can stop cancer from developing in the first place.

Pre-cancerous cell changes can be picked up before they have a chance to develop into full-blown cancer.

According to Cancer Research UK, it is one of the few cancers which is preventable.

All women aged between 25 and 60 are contacted to come in to have a smear test at least once every five years to pick up on any changes to cells.