Find out more about cervical cancer and how to get involved in this important week.
What is it?
Cervical cancer awareness week aims to raise awareness of cervical screening (smear test), which can completely prevent cervical cancer if caught early enough. This year, awareness week is running from 17th– 23rd January, and the key messages are testing and support.
The facts
- 1 in 3 women and people with a cervix don’t attend their smear test when invited.
- The smear test detects changes in cervical cells, and often detects these changes before the cells turn cancerous, which can save a life.
- Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly, and almost all cases are caused by a HPV infection (these infections are common and asymptomatic, again showing how important it is to get tested).
- Every year 220,000 women and people with a cervix find out that they have cervical cell changes after their screening, and many more are given a HPV diagnosis.
- If you are a woman or person with a cervix aged 25-64 who is due a screening, you will be invited via letter and can book your appointment with your GP.
- This appointment is optional, but it’s one of the best ways to protect against cervical cancer.
How to get involved
- Besides learning more about cervical cancer and smear testing for yourself, you can use social media to talk about screening.
- You could tweet, post on Facebook or Instagram, or share others’ online posting about this week under the hashtag #cervicalcancerpreventionweek- why not even share this blog!
- You could get your workplace or community group involved and display posters.
- You could do some fundraising for a cancer charity- for example Jo’s cervical cancer trust (the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity).
What we offer
One of the key messages this year is that prevention doesn’t stop at a smear test. There is an emphasis on also raising awareness of the support available for those with cervical cancer.
This is where we come in at Camford Medicals. Facing diagnosis and treatment can be a difficult time, and we want our patients to feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. That’s why we offer cancer treatment in the comfort of your own home, as well as endeavouring to ensure patients are visited by the same nurse- we recognise the importance of a friendly face.
To find out more about our home cancer care services, contact us today on 0207 631 4558 or via email info@camfordmedicals.co.uk.