The 'Jade Goody Effect'

When Jade Goody sadly passed away in February 2009, the whole of the UK was shaken. A young mother, with her whole life in front of her, she was just 27.

She was younger than I am now.

Her journey before she died was an incredible one, as poorly as she was, she made a concerted effort to raise awareness to all women to ensure they booked their smear's in.

In the year following her death, results showed that the number of women aged 25-29 booking a smear had shot up by a third and the number of women between 25-64 had gone up 12%.

Just incredible.

However, now, the figures are showing that in the UK, figures are now down by 72%, the biggest decrease in two decades.

What the media are calling the 'Jade Goody Effect' is well and truly over which is so sad.

She used the months leading to her death, using her position as a public figure in the media to raise awareness to help women everywhere.

We need to get this movement back. So many women go through this horrendous journey day in and day out.

As of September 2017, just in Kent alone, 2,600 women were diagnosed with Cervical Cancer.

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For some reason, smears and gynae problems in general are always hush hush and not spoken about.

As women, we have to go through a lot throughout our lives, periods, childbirth, mammograms, smear tests, all of which put a toll on us, whether its physically or mentally.

We have it ingrained in us to want to ignore check ups, such as smears. For fear that they will be uncomfortable, both the act itself, as well as the fact that our legs will be thrown apart, bent at the knee, with everything on show, while a nurse or doctor takes swabs.

I had this exact problem when it came to me being old enough. I panicked as I had heard such horror stories from friends and of course the internet...

Then never receiving a letter due to moving... the letter requesting me to book in actually went to my ex boyfriends parents house... lovely!

I mentioned it to my doctor one day, thinking they would then book me in for a later date. Nope! She told me to lay down and undress from the waist down. I was not prepared for this... in more ways than one!

However, it was painless, and was over before I realised it had began.

The fact that she was shining a bright light towards my vagina (yes I said it!) and told me I was a good girl was a little strange... but hey. I had done it and it was over for another three years. Or so I thought.

Fast forward a week or so and I received a letter from the hospital explaining that I needed to go and have a colposcopy.

As a 25 year old who had just had her first smear, I completely freaked! I rang one of my friends who I knew had had a similar experience and she came straight over. She went through the letter with me, which was full of medical jargon. How they expect anyone to understand it and not think the worst is beyond me.

Anyway, my mum came with me to my appointment. I had to put a gown on and take my underwear off, then was led into a room with two ladies in, and asked to sit on the chair. This chair makes you feel like you are going to fall off of the back of it because the angle is so high up!

She explained what was going to happen before going ahead, which was very helpful. She then started...

Now, me and my mum are rather close... but when there is a tv screen facing you with a lovely view of your cervix on it, you definitely reach a whole new level of closeness!

Following the procedure, I was advised I would hear back soon with the results.

When I did, I was advised I had CIN1 and HPV.

They explained that generally these go of there own accord, but can end up forming into cancer in some cases.

I was extremely lucky not to have had a higher CIN grade, and I now have yearly check ups to keep an eye on it. I'm happy to report, so far, so good!

When I saw this in the media I realised I needed to speak out, as many of my friends have also done.

If you are 25 or over and are yet to book your smear, please get this booked!

If you are under 25 and are experiencing any symptoms (such as unusual bleeding or bleeding after sex), please see your doctor and ask for a smear!

Is missing a 5 minute appointment really worth losing your life? Or your mother, daughter, cousin, friends?

Share this with all the women in your life and help the figure rise again, as well as educating younger women that maybe haven't had their first smear yet. Please don't be scared. Book it as soon as you get your letter!

If this just reminds one person to book theirs, I will be happy.

Many Thanks as always,

Tk

xxx