Gogglebox’s Sarah Marie Fahd opens up on cervical screening: “I want to be around for a long time for my kids”
Sarah Marie Fahd gets real about cervical screening – plus the four myths that stop too many mums from booking their test.
Between daycare drop-offs, packing lunchboxes and everything else mums juggle daily, it’s no wonder your own health checks can slip to the bottom of the to-do list.
But for Gogglebox star and mum-of-two Sarah Marie Fahd, cervical screening is something she refuses to put off.
“I want to be around for a long time for my kids,” says Sarah Marie, who welcomed her first child, Malik, in 2019, shortly after marrying husband Matty Fahd. The couple’s second son, Lyon Sainte Fahd, arrived in 2023.
“It’s easy to put things off when life gets busy, but I remind myself that looking after my health is one of the most loving things I can do for my family.”
We caught up Sarah Marie to find out how she makes time for screening – and why she wants other mums to know they’re not alone if they’re feeling unsure, overdue or overwhelmed.
Sarah Marie Fahd on prioritising cervical screening
Why is cervical screening something you prioritise as a mum?
I want to be around for a long time for my kids. It’s easy to put things off when life gets busy, but I remind myself that looking after my health is one of the most loving things I can do for my family.
My mum was always really open with me about cervical health. She set a great example – that it’s something we should talk about openly, without shame or embarrassment. That stuck with me, and it’s something I want to help normalise for other women and young girls. We all deserve to grow up knowing our health matters.
What message would you want other mums to hear about putting their health first?
You matter. Even when your to-do list is overflowing and you feel pulled in a million directions, your health deserves space. It’s not selfish. It’s necessary.
When you take care of yourself, you’re not just protecting your future—you’re showing your kids that looking after yourself is important. It’s okay to say, I need to look after myself today.
Did anything surprise you about the self-collection option?
I was honestly surprised by how simple and private it was. I even caught myself thinking, wait, that’s it?
It felt so much less intimidating than I expected. I didn’t have to psych myself up or block out half a day. It was far less awkward than I imagined – and didn’t require any wild yoga poses, which is always a win!
How do you make time for your own health when you’re busy taking care of everyone else?
I know some days it’s hard to even get a shower in. I’ve been there. Hair in a bun, reheating my coffee for the third time, wondering when I last booked a proper appointment for myself.
It took me a while to adjust to being a parent, but now that I’m slowly getting back on track, my health is back at the top of my list. I treat check-ups like non-negotiables – just like I would if it were for my kids.
Why do you think it’s important for mums to hear that they’re not alone in feeling unsure or overdue?
Most people I know feel exactly the same way – yet we all think we’re the only ones dropping the ball.
We’re not meant to juggle everything perfectly. When it comes to looking after ourselves, we often have no energy or love left to give. I want you to know you are not alone. We’re in this together, figuring it out day by day. And that’s more than enough.
Cervical screening: 4 myths that stop mums from booking in
With the mental and physical load of motherhood, it’s easy to push your own health to the bottom of the list – including cervical screening. Add in a few common myths and misconceptions, and it’s no surprise so many women are overdue.
Dr Mariam Chalaan, GP and women’s health advocate, says these are the myths she hears most often – and wants every mum to know the truth:
Myth 1: “I’ve only ever had one partner, so I’m not at risk.”
“This is a common misconception,” says Dr Chalaan. “Even if you’ve only ever had one sexual partner, you can still be at risk of cervical cancer.”
The main cause is HPV, a virus passed through any sexual contact—not just intercourse. It’s incredibly common (about 80% of sexually active people will have it at some point), and it can stay in the body for years without symptoms.
“That’s why we recommend cervical screening every five years, regardless of how many partners you’ve had.”
Myth 2: “I don’t need to screen anymore- I’ve had kids or I’m in menopause.”
“Motherhood and menopause don’t cancel your risk,” Dr Chalaan explains. In fact, HPV is more likely to persist as we age, and the immune system becomes less efficient at clearing it.
The National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) recommends screening every five years from age 25 to 74 – no matter your parenting status or whether you still menstruate.
Myth 3: “You can’t screen during pregnancy.”
False. “You can absolutely have a Cervical Screening Test during pregnancy,” says Dr Chalaan. “It’s completely safe for both you and your baby.”
In fact, it’s often done in the first trimester as part of your antenatal care. If anything unusual is detected, it’s usually safe to monitor until after birth.
Myth 4: “I haven’t been sexually active for years, so I don’t need one.”
HPV can lie dormant for a long time, and cervical cell changes may develop years after exposure.
“Unless you’ve never had any sexual contact in your life, you’re still considered at risk,” Dr Chalaan says. “That’s why screening is based on age and history – not recent activity.”
The Own It Campaign
If you’re aged 25 to 74 and have ever been sexually active, a Cervical Screening Test every five years is one of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer.
Book it in. Your future self will thank you.
The Own It campaign is funded by the Australian Government and backed by leading health organisations – including the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC), the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), ACON, and the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative.
