ABOUT ME: Cervical Cancer Awareness Week

I’ve never done a blog post like this before but it’s a campaign I feel very strongly about and so I wanted to share my experience.  It’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (as you might have seen with the #SmearForSmear instagrams & tweets over the weekend) and I wanted to just discuss the importance of attending smear tests!

As I’ve said before, 2014 was pretty up & down for me and one of those reasons was because of my smear results.

I had my first smear test just after my 25th birthday (2013) and it was absolutely fine – it’s uncomfortable but it doesn’t last long.  I popped it to the back of my mind until I received a letter saying results had come back abnormal and I had to be booked in for a Colposcopy in Feb 2014.  I read up as much as I could about the process and decided to take Andrew along with me because in all honesty, I was petrified.

A colposcopy is a simple procedure to find out in more detail whether there are abnormal cells on your cervix.

The nurses were lovely and used a colposcopy camera/microscope to get a closer look at my cervix (they even asked if I wanted to see it on the screen – I was like, oh definitely not, no thank you).  They saw a pattern on my cervix which were pre-cancerous cells so they decided to take a biopsy then and there.  Andrew held my hand the whole time & there were tears but mainly because of the shock of it.  The days after were pretty rough and there was lots of crying involved, not just because of the process but because I was so scared about the results.

A couple of months later the biopsy results showed that I had pre cancerous cells (about 6 out of 10 women get this result from their biopsy) but as it’s a mild abnormality they decided to just book me in for another colposcopy a year later to keep an eye on it.

The appointment is coming up next month and I’m still scared but I can’t help but think – imagine if I’d never attended the smear test; I would be walking around completely oblivious to the fact that I have pre-cancerous cells on my cervix.  The sooner and more regular you have the cervical screening means a better chance of preventing and curing any abnormalities.

So, if you’re eligible for a smear test but haven’t yet booked or attended it, please do make your appointment as soon as possible.  We’re so lucky to have this service and so we should make full use of it, it could end up saving your life!

Katie xx

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35 Comments

  1. January 27, 2015 / 5:55 pm

    I've done a bit of reading about it lately and apparently a lot of the 'pre cancerous' changes in cells are changes that would actually go back to normal on their own so a lot of people go through unnecessary treatment.The colposcopy can also increase the risk of miscarriage if you have children later. For some people the anxiety it causes outweighs the risk, e.g. those with learning disabilities, mental issues, abuse victims, because the actual risk of cervical cancer is pretty small unless you have a family history, have sex young or lots of sexual partners. I'm therefore unsure about the whole thing. To be honest it annoys me that the NHS promote it as a life saving thing but they fail to mention the cons. There are definitely pros but there are also cons. I feel like people should be given all of the information so they can make an informed decision about their own body rather than just being told to get it done x

    • Anonymous
      January 29, 2015 / 7:06 pm

      I am sorry, but this is just horrible misinformation. Cervical cancer is certainly not as common as a cold, but please, don't say it it's a pretty small risk.
      Colposcopy is not to be confused with conization.
      Smear tests should be done annually once you begin with sexual activities. It should become a habit like going to a dentist. There is no cons from taking a smear test! Only advantages.

      Take care Katie! I wish you all the best!

    • Anonymous
      January 30, 2015 / 9:39 pm

      This is a great post making people aware of cervical cancer. I had the same exact thing, and the doctor told me that mostly ALL cervical cancers are due to the virus HPV. So this has nothing to do with family history. If you have ever had sexual relations at all, you are at risk for HPV. I got HPV (when no one knew it existed) at 23…..it goes into remission, and then rears its ugly head at aroud 50. This is what Farrah Fawcett died from as well. Get your Pap Smears at least every couple of years…

    • Anonymous
      January 30, 2015 / 10:27 pm

      Please don't post unless you are correctly informed an able to give useful information.
      As a nurse who works in gynaecology I can correctly confirm cervical cancer has NOTHING to do wht family history. It is infact caused by the human papilloma virus.

    • Anonymous
      January 30, 2015 / 10:29 pm

      Secondly…I have had 3 sexual partners hardly ' a lot '.
      I concerns me someone who post such I'll informed information for others to read without knowing the facts!!

  2. January 27, 2015 / 6:01 pm

    wishing you all the best katie, hope everything is okay x

    http://abbyhughess.blogspot.com/

  3. January 27, 2015 / 6:21 pm

    Thank you for raising awareness, I'm yet to have a smear test but will book myself in 🙂
    Josie XOXO
    Fashion Mumblr

  4. January 27, 2015 / 6:38 pm

    This is such a great post – I love how everyone is supporting this cause as it really is so important for women to be aware.
    I'm going to be 23 this year, but I actually wish I could have my smear test now just in case.

    http://smallandblondex.blogspot.co.uk/

    xx

  5. January 27, 2015 / 8:08 pm

    Proud of you for posting this and reaching out to people to encourage them to get their smears done, it may not be the nicest procedure but it's so important!
    Daxidream x

  6. January 27, 2015 / 8:10 pm

    Well done for sharing, I have to admit you story has seriously shocked me and made me think, I'm only 21 but I have heard stories of it happening in younger people. I hope your next appointment goes ok, thanks for sharing this.

  7. Anonymous
    January 27, 2015 / 9:20 pm

    Wow! Thanks for this post, I've been putting off getting an appointment for awhile now. I've just been like, I'm so young (25), it's just a prevention, there's basically no chance anything shows up.

    Hang in there! You caught it in time and it's under control 😉 I hope you feel better and have an awsome year 🙂

  8. January 27, 2015 / 9:33 pm

    Great to make people aware, Im 33 and I've have never had one, its not the procedure that bothers me its the wondering if theres something wrong, I'm am petrified of doctors like some people are of the dentist I won't go with any problem unless im in agony… I had another letter the other day asking me to attend, I think I need to be brave ….

  9. January 27, 2015 / 10:10 pm

    I can't even imagine how you must feel, I almost wish they'd lower the age of smear tests to 18 so that it could be caught earlier in so many cases!
    Jodie // La Lune Song

  10. January 27, 2015 / 10:31 pm

    Such a brave post Katie, I am sure this will help a lot of readers xx

    http://lauratalksout.blogspot.co.uk

  11. January 27, 2015 / 10:35 pm

    Great post Katie, you're so brave for sharing your story and it's amazing that so many people will miss out on an opportunity which could potentially save their lives. More people need to be talking about this!

    Olivia.

  12. January 27, 2015 / 10:49 pm

    I recently heard that they don't recommend a smear test until 25 in the UK, but I feel that it should start at 18. Thanks for sharing your story and getting the word out, and I hope all goes well.

  13. January 27, 2015 / 11:27 pm

    I went through exactly the same thing a few months ago, except on my own! I was absolutely petrified, crying every day and I got the same results as you in the end. I have my 2nd check up in a few weeks. It's nice to read that I'm not the only one. So thank you for this post. xx

    http://gemfash.blogspot.co.uk/

  14. January 27, 2015 / 11:34 pm

    This is defiantly a campaign every female just needs to back. Hope your next appointment goes okay for you.

    Annabel ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

  15. January 28, 2015 / 12:33 am

    this was great to read, it really made me think about it, and now I definitely want to keep an eye on when I should be getting smear tests. Good luck with your next appointment, you are so brave x

  16. January 28, 2015 / 6:29 am

    It is definitely something I, among so many others, put off due to it being a not-so-fun appointment but it is so, so important. Thank you so much for sharing this story. x

    nueyork.blogspot.com

  17. January 28, 2015 / 8:58 am

    I love how this post brings awareness to cervical cancer, it is posts like these that makes a difference to the world as you bring more and more people to learn about different diseases. Thank you!

    XOXO, A
    www.bundleofchoi.weebly.com

  18. January 28, 2015 / 10:13 am

    So proud of you for posting this Katie – it's so important for people to share experiences like this and to raise awareness. I'm 25 this year and will be booking mine in as soon as I can! I hope everything is okay for you!

    Hayley x

    www.frockmeimfamous.com

  19. January 28, 2015 / 11:44 am

    My heart goes out to you Katie, I can't imagine how it felt with all the scans going on. I really hope everything is okay for you in your next test, and it's things like this that make me wish the test was a lower age – I would rather be able to get tested at 20 than wait.

    Lauren x
    Britton Loves | Lifestyle Food Fashion Beauty – www.brittonloves.blogspot.co.uk

  20. January 28, 2015 / 12:05 pm

    hi hun I went through similar on my first smear I had CIN III and have to have laser treatment to remove the cells, although there was bleeding for up to 6 weeks after this treatment it wasn;t all so bad. PLEASE DON'T PUT OFF YOUR SMEAR xox

    http://www.rainbowsandunicornsblog.co.uk/

  21. January 28, 2015 / 1:03 pm

    I think that you're incredibly brave for sharing your story and I have no doubt that you will be an inspiration to other girls out there. I wish you all the best for your upcoming appointment. xxx

    www.beautifullysmart.blogspot.co.uk

  22. January 28, 2015 / 1:29 pm

    I'm 24 and just had my first letter inviting me to a smear test. Bit scared but I'm definitely going to book it… seeing this post and all the Instagram pictures with smeared lipstick has given me the nudge I needed.

    alicered.co.uk

  23. January 28, 2015 / 5:02 pm

    It's s brave of you sharing your story! It really well help others!
    I had my first smear at age 15 because of abnormal bleeding, it came back fine but I will be having one some time this year. It's not one of comfortable things but who cares, it could save your life!

    Good luck!

    fixmeinfortyfivex.blogspot.co.uk

    xx

  24. January 29, 2015 / 1:24 am

    Thanks for sharing! Good luck with your next appointment 🙂

  25. January 29, 2015 / 1:58 pm

    I try to go every year. I had a scare a couple of years ago and ever since I really try to make sure I go in for regular check-ups.

  26. January 31, 2015 / 1:25 pm

    This is an absolutely beautiful post and you're very brave for posting your story, I really love your blog! xo
    http://justjade-beautyblog.blogspot.com/

  27. January 31, 2015 / 8:26 pm

    Great post! I had the same and more as you as I had to have 'treatment' although I can't say it ever made me as anxious as you. Everyone should go when they are offered, the checks and the treatments really aren't a big deal compared to what the outcome could be if you don't act.

  28. February 1, 2015 / 11:41 pm

    This is such a brave post. I've had a couple of smear tests (they're offered in Scotland once you turn twenty) and while they're a little embarrassing and uncomfortable they're definitely no where near as horrible as I thought they'd be. I wish I could reassure more people that it's really not that big a deal – I'm a bit of a doctor phobic and nudity terrifies me, but the whole process is over so quickly, you really will wonder why you drove yourself crazy worrying about it beforehand.

    Good luck for your results next month.

    x

  29. February 3, 2015 / 6:56 pm

    Wonderful post she looks gorgeous in this pic =) checkout The Beauty of Food to look younger in little to no time at all http://af9c0jo3gm6t9k56tv8e1czkiv.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=1

  30. September 29, 2015 / 5:39 pm

    Thank's for sharing such nice review, have a good spirit!
    Brianet
    EssayToday

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