I do, however, encourage you to keep going because what I'm writing is MEGA-important for all you ladies out there (and gents - it's important for your wives, partners, daughters, and anyone else of the fairer sex that you care about).
Here goes.....
This morning I popped along to my doctors surgery, got naked from the waist down, laid back with my legs akimbo and let a nurse get busy with my vajayjay. Not your average Friday morning.
Why on earth would I be telling you this??? Because it's important. Like REALLLLY important.
The results of today's smear test will let me know if there are any abnormalities in the cells of my cervix. If there are any abnormalities it means we can get on with treating them, and hopefully reduce the risk of them ever developing into cervical cancer.
Worryingly, the uptake of smear tests has decreased since the introduction of the HPV vaccine and according to The Eve Appeal it appears that there is still some stigma around the vaccine itself.
It seems that somehow, the message that there's a vaccine available that can help prevent some cervical cancers, is translating either into 'we don't need to get tested', or 'my daughter doesn't have sex, she's too young'.
Now, you're all intelligent people so you must recognise that this really isn't the case.
Now, I've got some things I need you to do - RIGHT NOW! NO EXCUSES!
- Read the facts below,
- Keep up to date with your smear tests. If you're receiving reminders, make the appointment TODAY. If you have any unusual symptoms, please do not dismiss them. Make an appointment TODAY,
- If you have a teenage daughter, sign the consent form and let her have the HPV vaccine. It does not mean she's sleeping around. It means you are being a grown-up and are manning up to the fact that some day she's going to have sexual contact with someone else. You did.......she will too. It's normal, so don't make it into a big deal.
HPV:
• HPV is a very common virus. Up to 80% of people will be infected with a HPV infection at some time during their lives.
• There are over 100 different types of HPV. Around 40 types of HPV affect the genital area, of which 13 of those can cause cancer (high-risk HPV).
• In women, high risk HPV can cause: cervical, anal, vulval, vaginal and some head and neck cancers.
• Girls in Scotland are routinely vaccinated against HPV from aged 11, whereas the rest of the UK routinely vaccinates girls from ages 12 – 13; up to their 18th birthday.
• Your very first sexual experience may put you at risk of infection.
• You are still at risk of contracting HPV even if you do not have penetrative sex as the virus is transmitted through genital skin-to-skin contact.
• Infection with HPV does NOT imply either infidelity or promiscuity.
• If you get high-risk HPV you will not require treatment nor will your partner. However, if your cervical screening test detects abnormal cells and high-risk HPV you may be sent for further examination.
• For younger women who are eligible, the HPV vaccination helps reduce risk. It protects against four types of high risk HPV that cause 70% of all cervical cancers.
• The immune system can help your body to clear an HPV infection. Yet, smoking can make it harder for the body to clear HPV.
• HPV vaccine is 98% effective in preventing cervical abnormalities associated with HPV in those women who have not yet been infected with HPV.
• Despite the fact that the vaccine cannot protect women from existing HPV infections, it can prevent reinfection.
• The body can clear the HPV virus naturally, but when seen on a smear, the next smear test done is called a “test of cure” to make sure the body has cleared the HPV virus away.
• The HPV vaccines are not a substitute for cervical screening. Having the vaccine reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer; however, it does not protect against all cervical cancers. Therefore it is vital that when invited to attend cervical screening that you do so.
Cervical screening:
• It is NOT a test for cervical cancer, it is a screening test to detect abnormalities in the cells of the cervix at an early stage, which if left untreated may develop into cervical cancer.
• Between 90 and 94% of all screening results are negative.
• Cervical screening saves 5,000 lives a year in the UK.
• Having regular cervical screening offers protection against developing cervical cancer
• A total of 4.31 million women aged 25 to 64 were invited for screening in England in 2014-15 and 3.12 million women were tested, representing a fall of 3.3% from 2013-14.
• Cervical screening can prevent around 45% of cervical cancer cases in women in their 30s, rising with age to 75% in women in their 50s and 60s, who attend regularly.
• Around a quarter (24%) of cervical cancer cases in England are detected by screening.
• In England, Northern Ireland and Wales; women aged 25–49 are invited every 3 years for a cervical smear and women aged 50–64 are invited every 5 years. Whereas in Scotland, women aged 20–60 are invited every 3 years. However this is due to change on 1st April 2016 to conform with the other countries eligibility criteria.
Have the vaccine and have your smear tests people. I know it's not the most pleasant thing but worrying about it or being too embarrassed to go could literally be the difference between life and death. You've gotta look after your lady bits girls. And I mean YOU'VE. GOT. TO.
