Opening up about her own experience with cervical cancer, the singer and reality TV star revealed that a routine smear test signalled concern and set in motion years of surgical procedures.
Speaking to Star magazine, the 34-year-old former I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here contestant is eager to highlight the fact that any woman can fall victim to the disease.
"I've had pre-cancerous cells removed from my cervix and it's scary. It can happen to any woman, no matter what race, sexuality or age you are, " she insisted.
Grateful her experience with the disease didn't result in significant ill health, Ashley said: "Fortunately doctors caught it early. I've had to have a few procedures, which is not comfortable or fun, but thank God I'm healthy now."
The star, who appeared as a judge on Dancing on Ice until January 2014, reflected on her experience and insisted the scare means she keeps abreast of medical appointments, saying: "Three [operations] in 2008, 2009 and 2012. Thankfully I've been clear ever since. I make sure I have regular smear tests."
Crediting friends, family and bandmates for getting her through the frightening period in her life, Ashley is now working with Cancer Research UK and aims to raise further awareness of cervical cancer.
"I wake up every morning in gratitude for that. Health is wealth," she finished.
We couldn't agree more.
