Sarah HallA Norwich woman has said she is now ready to 'conquer the world' after surviving cervical cancer which was only detected by a routine screening test.Kirstie Banks, 29, thought she was in prime health when she went for a three-yearly smear test at her doctor's surgery last March but was immediately referred for another scan because of abnormalities.Sarah Hall

A Norwich woman has said she is now ready to "conquer the world" after surviving cervical cancer which was only detected by a routine screening test.

Kirstie Banks, 29, thought she was in prime health when she went for a three-yearly smear test at her doctor's surgery last March but was immediately referred for another scan because of abnormalities.

She was shocked to be told she had cervical cancer and she had to have an immediate hysterectomy, where the womb is completely removed.

It was even harder for her and her 37-year-old husband Kevin to deal with because it was at the time when reality TV star Jade Goody was suffering the same disease - and she later went on to die from it.

But today Mrs Banks, from Churchill Road, said she feels lucky to be alive and said what happened to her highlighted the need for regular cancer screening tests.

She said: "I was really shocked to be told I had cervical cancer. I am not one of these people who thinks 'it will never happen to me' but I felt fit and well and as far as I knew it was just a routine test.

"Thankfully I found out early enough that the cancer had not spread to other parts of my body and it was contained enough to be removed through the hysterectomy."

Mrs Banks has mixed feelings about the cervical screening tests in this country. All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years. Some are called back more regularly if one of their tests showed any abnormalities.

But in Mrs Banks's case, the last test she had three years ago gave her the "all clear". When doctors diagnosed cervical cancer they thought it had been prevalent

for about a year.

"I feel so incredibly lucky," she said. "If I hadn't had the test I might not be alive today and of course I am very grateful for that. I think everyone who is eligible should have the test. But I also think it highlights that we should have tests more regularly."

In other countries, such as Australia women, are called for cervical smears every two years.

Mrs Banks, who has returned to her job as a hairdresser, said: "I am ready to conquer the world."

Mr Banks was so impressed and inspired with his wife's recovery he is cycling from London to Paris to raise money for Cancer Research UK where he cycles an average of 80 miles over four days.

To sponsor Mr Banks log on to www.justgiving.com/kevin-banks73