Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2021

Did you know that Cervical Cancer can be prevented? 

18th-24th January 2021 marks Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s ‘Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.’

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust was founded in 1999 after the death of Jo Maxwell.

Their campaign is #smearforsmear- encouraging more women than ever to get their smear test done. 

Smear tests can prevent cervical cancer, and their aim is to ensure that as many people as possible understand what the test is for, but they also want them to feel informed and comfortable when they get their results, as well as breaking the stigma and myths that exist around smear tests and human papillomavirus (HPV)

80% of us will have HPV in our lives, and for something so common there shouldn’t be so much shame, fear and confusion around it. 

The pandemic means there are additional challenges to attending screening and accessing the HPV vaccine, many people are unsure about whether they should access the NHS.

However, routine screenings are still taking place up and down the country, so if you’ve not had a smear test, you’re due one, or you’re overdue, please do contact your local GP surgery to arrange to have it done, or to enquire about the HPV vaccine.

Many find having a cervical screening to be a little uncomfortable but it is over within a few minutes. All smear tests are performed by fully trained nurses who will try and make the procedure as comfortable as possible. 

However, if you or someone you know is extremely anxious about having it done then it’s worth contacting the Gynaecology Department at your local hospital- If you do need to have it done in the Gynaecology Department, you will have a gynaecologist who will perform the smear test in a more comfortable setting, and you may well have a nurse nearby to hold your hand (should you need it.)

it is important to encourage the females that you know, this includes fellow carers, clients, friends and family, to have their smear test. It may cause slight discomfort but the screening takes no longer than a couple of minutes and can ultimately save a life!

Click here to find out more

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week