Cervical Cancer Awareness Week

For those of you who didn't know, the 25 - 31 January 2015 is Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. 

As the title suggests, this is dedicated to raising awareness of Cervical Cancer including, information on symptoms, causes and stressing the importance of attending a smear test. Each year over 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. 

One of the main awareness campaigns, which as far as I have seen is the most popular across social media sites, has been the #SmearForSmear campaign. This, much like the Ice Bucket Challenge and the No Make-up Selfie, encourages women - and men if they like - to get involved to raise awareness of the disease. 

This time instead of pouring freezing water or sharing a bare face, the campaign asks people to take a photo with lipstick smeared down their face. Although this may sound a little bizarre, the "Smear For Smear" actually very cleverly ties in with one of the main ways to detect and prevent Cervical Cancer - a Smear Test. 

Source

What is a Smear Test?

According the NHS website a Smear Test, or cervical screening test, is a method used by doctors and nurses to check and detect for any abnormal cells within the cervix. The examination will check for any abnormalities as well as any cells that may become cancerous. 

All women aged 25 - 49 are invited to attend a screening every three years and women aged between 50 & 64 are invited every five years. 

As I am only 22 I am not ready to be invited for a smear test, so therefore have no personal experience of how an examination would go. However, it is something I have researched and according to one the website behind the #SmearForSmear campaing - Jo's Trust (which you can visit here) the test itself only lasts a matter minuets. The nurse/doctor will ask you to undress from the waist down and lay down. Next, they will insert an instrument called a spectrum in order to gain access to your cervix (don't worry I've heard from many people that this doesn't hurt at all). Finally a specially designed brush is used to collect cells from the cervix ready to be sent to a lab... And that's it! You're free to get dressed & carry on your day. 

Now for anyone else that hasn't attended a smear test, I'm sure we're all thinking the same thing.. Yes, I imagine this will feel pretty uncomfortable & I wont lie, I'm not particularly looking forward to having a stranger poking around & looking at my lady parts.. but I know it's 100% worth it in order to check my health. At the end of the day, what's a few moments of embarrassment where your well being is involved? 

At the end of the day, these doctors & nurses have seen thousands of different private areas and I highly doubt they're even phased by yours or mine in the slightest! 

Other methods of prevention.

If you're too young for the smear test but want to do all you can to prevent the disease from forming, contact your doctor about the HPV vaccine. According to the NHS the vaccine can save at least 400 lives each year. This is something that I was lucky enough to be offered when I was in sixth form.. Plus as I was over 15 I had to have the set of 3 injections. However besides the slight sting of the injection - and a slightly dead arm the days after each shot - it really didn't hurt at all (& I'm a massive wimp!). If you want to know more click here to be taken to the NHS website. 

One last thing I want to point out in this - pretty long - blog post is symptoms that could indicate cervical cancer. This was something I personally wasn't aware of so think it's so important for other people to be aware. 

Symptoms:

* Abnormal bleeding - e.g. during/after sex or between periods 

* Unusual/unpleasant discharge
*Discomfort/pain during sex
*Lower back pain 

*Note*
These symptoms do  not mean you definitely have cancer - if you experience anything abnormal, book an appointment with your local GP. It could be nothing, but it's better to be sure. 

So come on girls (& any guys) - get involved with the #SmearForSmear campaign this week. Find more information by clicking here then Smudge that lipstick & text CCPW01 followed by the amount to 70070 and raise awareness for Cervical Cancer! 

If anyone has taken part in this campaign let me know, I'd love to see your photos!

xxx