THE mum of a woman who died from cervical cancer when she was just 25 has called for the smear test age to be lowered.

Vicky Ellis was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which is caused by the HP virus, in 2013 and died in May.

She underwent 18 months of treatment, but was diagnosed too late.

Her mother, Sharon Wingrave, of Alresford, is calling for the age women are invited for a smear test, which detects the virus, to be lowered from 25.

Vicky, a former pupil at Colne Community School in Brightlingsea, went to the doctor on several occasions after suffering unusual symptoms, but her cancer was not detected.

After several months, she asked to be referred to hospital and further tests found a tumour. She underwent months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Mrs Wingrave, 53, said: “It was devastating. She just accepted it. I think she thought she would beat it.

She was such a positive person.”

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                                                                Vicky Ellis

Although Vicky was told the tumour had become inactive, she was hit hard by the side-effects of the treatment and suffered painful bones and kidney failure.

She spent several months in and out hospital and later discovered the cancer had spread to her stomach.

She died on May 28.

Mrs Wingrave said: “She was just jolly and happy-go-lucky. She was up for a challenge and she was an outgoing girl. She just loved life. I’m a proud mum.”

Vicky was an aunt to Austin, four, and loved cars andmusic. She worked as an administrator at car auctioneer Manheim Colchester – a job she loved.

The NHS offers smear tests to women when they turn 25, but many believe this should be lowered to either 16 or 19.

The issue hit the headlines when reality TV star Jade Goody died from the disease in 2009, and since then has been the subject of numerous campaigns.

Mrs Wingrave said: “Unless people make a stink about it, I don’t think anything will be done.

“I want the age to be brought down for other parents and young ladies.

“Vicky’s opinion was if she had been smeared at 16, she might not have had this.

“I know the NHS has problems funding the smears, but you can’t put a price on a life.”

To sign the petition on the issue, search for “smear tests at 16” at change.org