FORMER Love Islander Shaughna Phillips has revealed she has tested positive for HPV.
The 28-year-old urged all women to get their smear tests booked in after she received her results over the weekend.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common sexually transmitted infection which affects at least half of people who are sexually active.
The STI is the most widespread worldwide and four out of five of the population will contract some form of the virus at least once in their life.
In most cases, the body's immune system will fight off the virus and there won't be any need for extra tests, in fact, some people may not even know they contracted it at all.
Shaughna, who appeared on series six of the hit ITV show had a smear test on May 9.
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Then yesterday she took to Twitter to reveal her results, she said: "I tested positive for HPV and have had borderline changes to some cells that require further examination.
"I’m scared but that’s okay. Thank god for screening Ladies, book your smear."
She also posted to her Instagram story, stating that initially, she was 'absolutely terrified'.
While she understands it's a common condition, she said it is 'still scary'.
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In 2020 Shaughna revealed she had found a lump on her breast, just months after her father died from pancreatic cancer.
She added: "There's certain language used that I didn't realise I still have a real hard time hearing, 'biopsy', any word ending with 'oscopy' and of course 'cancer' are all associated with extreme trauma for me, so reading them in a letter addressed to me really really knocked me."
Despite this, Shaughna said she follows some incredible women, such as Deborah James' pal and fellow campaigner Lauran Mahon and comedian Kathryn Ryan, who have previously spoken about their smear results.
"It instantly reassured me and made it less scary! So I thought I would share this update in that hope that there's someone who might feel less alone, less afraid."
The 3 ways to protect yourself from HPV
While you can’t fully protect yourself from the virus, there are some things that you can do to help.
- Use condoms – they can help protect against HPV. As they don't cover all the skin around your genitals, you are not fully protected.
- Get the vaccine: The NHS says the HPV jab 'protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of genital warts and cervical cancer, as well as some other cancers. It does not protect against all types of HPV.'
- Go to your screening: There is no blood test for HPV and testing is part of cervical screening.
The NHS adds: "There's no treatment for HPV. Most HPV infections do not cause any problems and are cleared by your body within 2 years.
"Treatment is needed if HPV causes problems like genital warts or changes to cells in the cervix."
Posting on her Instagram story today, Shaughna said she was 'so glad' she decided to share her smear test results.
She said everyone had reassured her.
The reality TV star also revealed another health revelation: "I've decided to come off the contraceptive pill."
Shaughna, who has recently had her filler dissolved, said that each time she goes to the doctors, she is asked about how her periods are, but she never knows.
"I just want to know my body better, I'm going to use the apps where you can track when you're due on and stuff like that.
"But, yeah, decided to come off the pill, wish me luck," she added.
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Shaughna appeared on Good Morning Britain last week to debate whether or not it was acceptable to discuss holidays in the workplace due to the cost of living crisis.
She argued that it was fine and that she enjoyed hearing about other people's trips.
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