This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. At the start of the year, I decided I wanted to write about more topics related to health. It doesn’t mean I’m going to move away from the other topics I tend to write about. I will just be broadening the topics I share. I thought there was no better place to start than with Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
I feel very fortunate to have not been affected my cervical cancer in my life so far. I know for a lot of people that isn’t the case and so I completely understand if this post is triggering for you. If that is the case, please click off and find something else to enjoy.
To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, I’m supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in its call to get towards a future where cervical cancer is a thing of the past. The charity is launching a campaign to End Cervical Cancer in the UK.
Who is Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust?
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity. It provides information and support to anyone affected. They also campaign for excellence in cervical cancer treatment, care and prevention. Its national helpline is free and confidential. Simply call 0808 802 8000 or visit
their website.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally
Everyday in the UK, there are nine new diagnoses and two women will lose their lives. In 2020, the World Health Organisation launched a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer. For the first time ever, the world has committed to eliminating a cancer. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. That is why it is so important to get regularly screened and get vaccinated if you’re offered it to help protect against HPV infection.
Cervical screening, known to most as smear tests save thousands of lives a year. In terms of statistics, that’s an average of 7 out of 10 potential cancer cases. Sadly for various reasons, its thought that 1 in 3 women do not attend when invited for their smear test.
What are some of the symptoms of cervical cancer?
One of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer is bleeding in between periods or after sex. Other symptoms include post-menopausal bleeding, unusual discharge, unexplained pain between hipbones and pain during sex. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, try not to worry. The chances
are it isn’t cervical cancer but its best to see your GP just to make sure.
How we can all play our part
Through raising awareness of smear tests, spreading important information about the HPV vaccine and calling on governments to take action, we can make cervical cancer be the first cancer in history we have eliminated. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust have information and support about all things HPV, smear testing and cervical cancer. In their eyes, no question is too big or too small.
My experience
If I’m honest, I can’t really remember much about my first smear test. What I do remember is feeling so nervous that I was shaking. But the truth is I didn’t need to be. The nurse spoke to me and explained exactly what would happen so I was prepared. When it came to the test itself, it was over in
a matter of seconds. I was kept dignified throughout with a covering and the door was locked until I was fully dressed again. I won’t lie, the wait for the test results kept me on edge but thankfully they came back fine. I was just thankful that I was able to use that service, when so many
people around the world just don’t have access to it.
Around the same time as my first smear test, YouTubers such as Zoe Sugg and Brogan Tate were also having theirs. They have since spoken more about their experiences on their channels, so if you want to set your mind at ease, definitely head over and give those a watch.
Thank you for reading this post on what is a very important subject. I’d really appreciate any shares of this post to get more people talking and taking the right steps to prevent cervical cancer. Together we can and will beat cervical cancer for good.
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18 responses to “Cervical Cancer Prevention Week”
I’m glad that your spreading the word about this terrible disease. Cancer isn’t something someone wants to deal with,and early detection is always key in getting rid of it.
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Thank you for sharing about the importance of Pap smears. I was treated for early atypical cells (pre-cancer) almost 40 years ago and I would have developed cervical cancer had it been left. I’m thankful there is an easy test and screening to prevent this curable cancer.
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This is the first time to know about this cancer. I will keep this in mind to help somehow. Hopefully, I can play part in helping.
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It’s great that you are supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and their campaign to end cervical cancer in the UK. It’s important for everyone to play their part in raising awareness and taking action to prevent cervical cancer. Keep up the good work raising awareness about this important issue.
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Wow. Thank you for making this post. I never knew this week was cervical cancer week. And as a woman, I find this awareness helpful.
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It’s great to share experiences of pap smears and dispelling some of the fears many of us have about it. I must make sure I keep up with mine so thank you for the reminder and all the info!
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I’m pleased to say that my GP practice is excellent at reminding us to go for our smears. Therefore, I’ve never missed my screenings.
I find it a shame that some women don’t attend theirs. In many cases, lives could be saved.
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I’m very lucky that my GP do send me reminders when it’s time for my smear, I find it painful but I would rather experience a few seconds of pain in the full knowledge I’m doing the right thing by having the test done! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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Great information, for a good cause. Thanks for sharing all this. I am glad that I have the chance to get yearly checks.
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Great post! Jo’s Trust has been so important in the fight against Cervical Cancer, and they have so many helpful resources for people with cervixes. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
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What an excellent post – thank you so much for sharing and helping the fight against cervical cancer!
Rosie
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A fantastic topic choice and very informative. Thank you
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Good information sharing cervical cancer. This post reminds me that I need to take a medical check up this year. It’s been ages since the last time I took a medical check up.
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This is such an important post. In the US, we had Planned Parenthood for this and unfortunately it’s been closed in so many states. I know several people who got cervical cancer and treating it immediately (and preventing it with the HPV vaccine if possible) is key.
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I didn’t know it was cervical cancer prevention week. Thanks so much for sharing all this important information!
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I love that you blogged about this something that really should be brought into awareness. I had cervical cancer four times, the pap smear wasn’t as bad, and honestly, the importance of knowing and treating cervical cancer far outweighs the here-and-now feelings you might go through during a pap smear. Now as a mother of four girls, I make sure they understand women’s health and how important it is.
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