Cervical Screening Awareness Week
Barlow Irvin’s Protection Specialist, Jade Winstanley, is here to help. The 15th to 20th June 2021 marks Cervical Screening Awareness Week. Jade reflects on a personal experience in the hope that her story will encourage more women to get screened!
A few years ago, a close friend and colleague was diagnosed with stage 4A cervical cancer which meant that it was not only in the cervix but had spread to nearby organs. After six months of treatment, a hysterectomy and bowel and bladder removal she was given the all-clear.
A few weeks after this she attended a follow-up appointment and was given the sad news that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. The doctors told her to spend as much time with family and friends as she could, because she did not have much time left. Sadly, a few weeks later she passed away at the age of 33.
My friend had regularly attended smears every 3 years but missed the last one a year prior to her being diagnosed. Due to the pressures of everyday life, she had put it off.!
So, I’m sure like myself and many other young ladies, it’s uncomfortable and embarrassing to get the screening but as this is such an aggressive cancer it’s definitely worth the five minutes it takes and to get checked every three years.
I hope by my sharing this story will encourage more women to get checked.
For more information about cervical screening, the NHS website has lots of information.