It’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and 1 in 3 women still see cervical screening as a taboo topic.
CFHTT family member Rachel shares her story as Her self and a lot of my friends are now “of age” for a cervical screening invitation.
” When I was 23 I was referred for an early smear test due to my symptomatic abnormalities. I was so scared. No one talks about cervical screenings, so the fact I had to go for an early one filled me with so much fear. The doctors, nurses and Health Care Assistants were SO helpful in calming my nerves, answering my questions and making me feel as comfortable as possible. The actual smear was completely pain-free. Luckily I didn’t have HPV but was monitored with regular biopsies for about a year due to my abnormal cells. The biopsies are considerably more uncomfortable than a smear test, but nothing in comparison to what I may have had to endure later on if I didn’t have these early observations. Two years later and my cells are back to normal! I dread to think how things could have escalated if I had waited until I’d had the invitation, or even worse, if I hadn’t have gone at all. I’m so lucky to be in the position I am now. I thought having the HPV jab at school would have avoided all this, and that’s what confused me most of all. I was told that the HPV vaccination I had (which was the first lot given), doesn’t vaccinate against all forms of HPV. Whilst HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, even if you had the “good” HPV vaccine, it’s still so important to go to your smears – I didn’t have HPV but still had abnormal cells. I’m so lucky that I listened to my body, and I put my health before the fear or embarrassment of attending a smear test.

If you have a cervix, get informed! If you think something’s not right, or you’re due to go for a cervical screening yourself, GET IT BOOKED. It could save your life! If you’re able to, join me in the #smearforsmear for #cervicalcancerpreventionweek

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