Do you know how cervical cancer can be prevented? During cervical cancer week (21st January to 27th January 2019) Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust want as many people as possible to know how they can reduce their risk of the disease and to educate others.
According to the trust, “every day nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and two die from the disease. Yet 75% of cervical cancers can be prevented by cervical screening (smear tests)”.
From an early age. after having a scare in my early 20’s i’ve been proactive about having my smear test. I had to have a colposcopy, which is basically a process to investigate abnormal cells. It wasn’t pleasant and involved a trip to the hospital where I had a doctor, plus many trainee doctors in the room. I had agreed to this and was generally okay about it as Doctors have to see things to understand them, but it’s not necessarily something i’d want to do again in a hurry. Going for a smear test is easy in comparison. Therefore I have never skipped a smear test and if i’m a little late going for one due to circumstances, time etc I have a mild panic. My social media newsfeed has been filled recently with videos reminding us that it is 10 years since Jade Goody passed away from the disease at 27, leaving two children behind. This is the scariest thought for me as a mum…so lets all for the sake of our children, get our bits checked!
Thankfully the process is only every 3 years and not more regularly! We all know it’s not pleasant, but it’s not every month and although it is your choice whether or not to be screened, the potential impact of missing something is horrific.
If you are registered with a GP, you should automatically receive a letter through the post, together with a ‘Helping you decide’ leaflet.
Sally from Harrogate Mumbler recently wrote about her experience going for a smear and reveals all here! From pube admin (let’s face it, its a pubic hair etiquette nightmare), leg hair (it’s winter, who shaves their legs in winter) and choice of socks (time to clear out the sock draw) it’s all laid bare! Read her full, honest account on Harrogate Mumbler. Please take action though and if you are due to have a smear, go and get it over with.
Book your appointment, remind your friends to book theirs. Your children will thank you:-)
Find out more about Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2019
