Nicola Thorp previously underwent treatment for the "really early stages" of cervical cancer.
Nicola Thorp
The former 'Coronation Street' star - who played Nicola Rubinstein on the ITV soap for a year until she departed in June - is pleased the likes of charities Cancer Research UK are spreading awareness of the disease, because she was "emotional" and "very confused" about cancer during her experience nearly 10 years ago due to a lack of information at the time.
She said: "I've had treatment for really early stages of cervical cancer. That is something that really is completely preventable now because of research in that area.
"When I found out about it I was emotional because I was very confused. There wasn't a lot of information out there a while ago now, this was nearly 10 years ago.
"We have so many fantastic services that are available and they're only available because of charities like Cancer Research UK."
The 29-year-old actress is hoping to encourage more women to go for a smear test to try to catch any signs of cancer before they develop.
She added to The Sun Online: "I went for a routine smear test and was able to catch that in time. I had very early stages of developing stages of abnormal cells and they managed to catch it before it turned into cancer, and that's not something that would have happened several decades ago.
"As a women's activist as well I really try and push the message that women need to get their smear test."
While Nicola has remained coy about a potential return, Kym Marsh - who plays Michelle Connor in the ITV soap - hinted in June that she wouldn't be surprised to see the actress back on the cobbles at some point.
She previously said: "It was announced recently that Nicola Thorp is leaving the soap. I'm sure it's not the last we've seen of her - she's a great actress."