Shame. It Took So Long.

By Louise Brooke.

In late 2025, I had my first cervical screening at the age of 34. Nearly 10 years of carrying a quiet shame - tucking NHS letters in drawers, telling myself I’m too busy, I’ll do it another time. Trying to convince myself that there was nothing to worry about, but that I also wasn’t ready to face up to the test. 

Following screening, my results revealed “severe dyskaryosis”, high-grade cell changes, which were (thankfully) pre-cancerous. I went for a colposcopy and wire loop biopsy, which removed 3.21g of my cervix. 

An unusual request: to create the artwork

The colposcopists at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle were amazing, reassuring, and the procedure was over in a few minutes. Knowing about an upcoming exhibition at The House of Smalls before going for my colposcopy and biopsy, I asked if it was possible to weigh the tissue removed. An unusual ask (not a standard measurement for this procedure and the first time this had been requested!), but the colposcopists very kindly sent off the request and provided the results, enabling me to create the piece.

The Weight of Waiting Exhibition

No part of the screening or biopsy was as bad as I’d made myself feel for avoiding it for so long. The weight of the time spent avoiding my screening was far heavier, and I hope that sharing my story might encourage someone else to go for their cervical screening.

Shame. It Took So Long was made in January 2026, in the days and weeks after my loop biopsy and coincided with cervical cancer awareness month. It will be part of a group exhibition, The Weight of Waiting, at The House of Smalls in Edinburgh, 7th March - 4th April 2026, which will display works from artists exploring:

"The emotional burden, psychological distress, and anxiety that comes from a period of waiting which can also manifest in a variety of physical symptoms and deterioration in physical health."

About the materials: silk organza and felt.

My personal textile art practice centres around fabric, words and using banners to celebrate vulnerability. Made from undyed silk organza, the fragile quality allows the felt lettering to cast shadows.

If this story has stirred something in you, you’re not alone—and you’re not too late. Cervical screening is a quick, routine test that could make all the difference, and support is there every step of the way. If you’ve been putting it off, consider this your quiet nudge to book in. You can find clear, friendly information about what to expect, how it works, and why it matters via the NHS here: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/