A YOUNG mum with three children has been diagnosed with cervical cancer after missing smear tests.

Kim Montgomery, 31, from Lochgelly, believes if she went to get tested sooner then she wouldn't be fighting cancer today.

She is now urging women to go to appointments, even if it is embarrassing, so they never have to face what she is going through.

She hopes that sharing her story with the Times will bring the message home to many women.

"The thought of dying is terrifying," Kim said, "If I'd just went to get my test I'd maybe not have cancer.

"It's a huge regret and is not just having an affect on me but my whole family.

"The thought of my children not having a mum at such a young age is scary."

After experiencing bleeding for a year Kim finally braved up to going for a smear test just before Christmas, and the results came back to say she had "abnormal cells".

After a biopsy, she was told by her doctor last week that she had cervical cancer and is awaiting an appointment to get an MRI scan, which will assess how much the disease has progressed.

She has been told that she will probably need a hysterectomy and maybe chemo or radiotherapy.

Kim explained: "I knew something wasn't right so I booked in for a smear.

"I've been so numb since I got the news.

"My family are not taking it great either. The most ironic thing is just before I was diagnosed I had been fundraising for Macmillan".

She added: "I hadn't been for a smear test for 10 years. It seems silly but it was quite unpleasant and embarrassing and my results were fine.

"I just thought I would never get cancer. It was not the best experience but I would have a 100 smears to take this away.

"It's scary wondering what the future will hold for me."

Even though Kim only received the news of her diagnosis just over a week ago, 20 women have already contacted her to say she is has inspired them not to put off a smear test any longer after raising awareness on her Facebook page.

"I think my story has scared these women," she continued, "It could happen to anyone.

"I'm just a young woman with young kids and they've thought if it could happen to me it could happen to them.

"There was so much awareness when television personality Jade Goody died but I've been told there has been a dip in the number of women going for smear tests again.

"If I just went to my appointment and not left it so long it might have not turned into cancer - it's so important.

"I was just ignoring it but now it feels so surreal, I hope my sharing my story more lives can be saved."

Kim is fundraising for alternative treatment at https://www.gofundme.com/f/trrhgz-alternative-cancer-treatment?utm_source=facebook