Grandmother who beat cancer credits a two-minute test for saving her in her 30s — now she urges others not to delay it
There have been many instances where a routine health check quietly have shifted into a moment that changed everything. For Gayle Maxwell, it turned out to be true when a two-minute test ended up saving her life. After delaying the appointment to enjoy the Christmas holidays, the then 39-year-old finally had the test in early January 2015. Weeks later, on February 17, 2015, doctors told her she had cancer, as reported by The Independent on January 18, 2026. Test results revealed that she had a fast-growing and aggressive tumor. In April 2015, Maxwell underwent surgery, followed by chemotherapy and brachytherapy, a form of internal radiotherapy. Due to early detection, doctors were able to intervene before the cancer became inoperable.
Ahead of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Maxwell said, “If I hadn’t had the smear test done at that time, or if I’d waited, you’re talking about a whole different game. The tumor was growing fast and aggressively, so I had my operation in April.” She explained that the surgery removed the tumor and other affected areas before her chemotherapy and brachytherapy, adding that if it had been any later in her detection, “it could have been inoperable.” Maxwell was given the all clear in October 2015. For the next five years, she attended regular half-yearly check-ups to ensure the cancer had not returned. Maxwell, who is now 50, works as a clinical support secretary with NHS Highland. She is a mother of three and a grandmother to four, with another grandchild on the way.
“A smear test found my cancer early and saved my life, now I’m living well and enjoying family time,” she revealed. Living in Lochgilphead in Argyll and Bute, Maxwell is supporting the Scottish Government’s Be The Early Bird campaign, which encourages people to attend cervical screening appointments to support early treatment. “My advice would be, as daunting as a smear test might be, the results of not having one could be much more challenging. The test takes minutes. As I know well, the repercussions of dealing with cancer are far greater than going in for a two-minute smear test,” Maxwell shared.
She acknowledged the fear many people felt before screening while encouraging them to get tested anyway. “If you go and get it done, you might be at a stage where things can be treated in a better way, a faster way, a much more successful way, and you’ll be able to live well again,” she insisted.
In Scotland, cervical screening is offered every five years to women and anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 64. Health experts continue to stress the importance of attending screening appointments, even for those who have received the HPV vaccine. According to American Cancer Society, cancer begins when normal cells undergo genetic changes that cause them to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. These tumors can be benign or malignant, with malignant tumors having the ability to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body through a process known as metastasis.