Having a smear test might not rank particularly highly on our list of favourite activities.

However, the procedure, which is offered for free on the NHS to all women over the age of 25, is estimated to save around 5,000 lives a year in the UK, making it a more-than-important item on our to-do list.

Despite this, though, new figures show that lots of women are putting their smear tests off, with cervical screening rates at their lowest for two decades. Something that Stylist cover star Michelle Keegan can relate to, having recently admitted that she’s been pushing aside her reminder letters and convinced herself she’s just “too busy” to go.

Prompted by the news that so many of us are forgoing the lifesaving procedure, the Our Girl actor has taken to Instagram to talk about going for her own smear test, and has been honest about how long it’s taken her to book an appointment.

Michelle Keegan admits the three reasons she’s been avoiding her smear test