Last Tuesday my whole life flipped upside down.

 

I was told I had an abnormal smear. Of course the first panic is, have I got cancer? What will happen to me? Will I need chemo? I might lose my hair or worst of all my life. 

 

I have been for a further examination and they found pre cancerous grade 2 cells. I have had to have treatment today and my emotions are all over the place . I would never of know if I hadn’t of gone for my smear.  So I want to use my experience to help others and get something done about this. 

 

I never knew the following did you?

 

The HPV vaccine we had at school ( where all the boys punched us in the arm) only covered us from ages 16 years to 18 years. 

 

There is over 100 different types of HPV. 

 

HPV is contracted through skin to skin but is never identified unless you have a smear test.
HPV does not necessarily mean you have cancer.
A smear lasts for a duration of 10-15 minutes and you will be covered and dignity maintained.

 

 

There is not enough enough awareness. I had my smear cancelled three times. I was told it was not an emergency appointment/ not urgent. There is not enough awareness of the importance of the smear test. There are 99.8% preventable cases of cervical cancer and that would be just through having a smear. 

 

What is ten/fifteen minutes compared to a decrease in life expectancy and treatment?

 

So, I have decided I want to start raising awareness starting with this - any sponsors or donations greatly appreciated. 

 

Any salons/ local business’s that would like to get involved I can point you in the right direction. 

 

Let’s get women talking about cervical cancer and give it the awareness and recognition it deserves. Life is important and too short. 

 

Let’s kick arse.