Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is here! 

Join us this week to raise awareness of cervical screening. One in three women and people with a cervix don't attend cervical screening and we want to change that. However cervical cancer prevention doesn't stop at screening. 

220,000 women and people with a cervix every year are told they have cervical cell changes after their screening, and many more are given a HPV diagnosis. This can mean more tests and treatments, and for some it can be incredibly hard time. We want everyone to have the information and support they need. So we want you to join us and share tips, facts, and most importantly help others know they aren't alone.

Getting involved is simple

• Use social media to talk about cervical screening! Shout about why it's so important and share your tips to make it an easier test
• Share your experience of colposcopy or getting unexpected cervical screening results: what do you wish you had known and what would you say to someone feeling anxious about theirs? Check out Amy's tips below for inspiration
• Share our tips, information and signpost to our support services 
• Click the button below to get resources to share 
• Get your workplace involved and display posters
• Take on a fundraising challenge

An example tweet: 

This week is #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek. Cervical screening can stop cervical cancer, but it isn’t always easy. If you have questions or need support with results then visit @JoTrust www.jostrust.org.uk/ccpw

Click the button below for more tweets and graphics.

Join in and use #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek so others can find you! 

Share tips just like our volunteer Amy:

• Don’t rush off. Take your time to recover and make sure you feel ok before you leave, make plans in case you don’t feel great after for being picked up if you can
• Wear something comfy (not too thick and hot) and easy to get on and off for both smear and colposcopy!
• Big comfy underwear that can support a panty liner or a pad and wear a panty liner or pad to both smear test and colposcopy as you can bleed after both
• Ask questions. I asked so many. Speak to your friends, nurses, whoever. Don’t be scared to use the word discharge or talk about what’s happening to you, whatever it is, it’s not something to be ashamed or embarrassed of. 
• Get to your colposcopy early in case you get lost in the hospital! 

What's it like to have cervical cell changes and treatment? Charlotte shares her story

Where’s #SmearForSmear this year?

This year, we’re focusing on sharing stories, information and tips that go further than a smear test. That’s why #SmearForSmear isn’t quite right for this year’s campaign. 

We still want to talk about the importance of screening and support women and people with a cervix to attend, but we also want to talk about what happens after the test to reduce the fear and confusion so many feel. 

Needless to say, if you’ve already got your lipstick at the ready, that’s absolutely fine too – we hope you can still join in the campaign by sharing a smear test tip or supportive message with your selfie! 

Katy shares her experience of cervical cell changes and treatment