I was 25 when I entered The Apprentice house last year, armed with lots of enthusiasm and ready to do battle with the other contestants for Lord Sugar’s business investment. It was also at this point that I attended my first cervical screening, an unassuming experience for some, and I understood that this was just routine. However, when I received my results I was asked to go for a follow-up appointment – luckily for me it was nothing to worry about – but for others, lady luck is not shining down on them and it can be a worrying time and sometimes an awful diagnosis.
I was initially alarmed by the information that I was given around cervical cancer and the screening process. I didn’t feel like there was adequate information detailing what happens during a smear test, what the results may mean and ultimately the outlook for women diagnosed with cervical cancer. I know that the common misconception is that smear tests can be painful and scary, and whilst they can be slightly uncomfortable, they have the potential of detecting early signs of cervical cancer.
When talking to close friends about health matters such as cancer, one remained frightened about visiting her GP for her first smear test, I had to reason with her and explain that it is a simple and routine test, which could potentially save her life. There are many unfortunate rumours but it is all about weighing up the pros and cons – would you rather have peace of mind knowing you are healthy, find out you have cervical cancer but be diagnosed early enough so it can be treated or hold-off on your screening, when it may then become too late.
The devastating impact is that every day in the UK nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and three of these will die. It is now a largely preventable disease and we’re lucky in the UK to have an effective screening programme and a vaccination programme (for HPV) which can help stop the virus which most often causes cervical cancer, from developing. Despite this, thousands of women in the UK each year are not attending their cervical screening when invited. In fact only three quarters of women aged 25-64 who were invited for their cervical screening in England last year, took it up. This is really worrying.
More women should feel empowered to have conversations with loved ones, close friends and more importantly healthcare professionals if they have any concerns about attending their screening. I am passionate about ensuring that this does not remain a taboo subject – it affects too many women to let this important issue slide. More needs to be done in terms of early detection and prevention which will make a huge difference in the future.
That is why I am supporting The Eve Appeal during this year’s Cervical Screening Awareness Week (15th – 21st June) to help raise awareness of this women’s cancer and the importance of attending your screening. It is imperative that all women are aware of the key signs and symptoms of the disease.
For more information on cervical screening please visit www.eveappeal.org.uk
Bianca Miller is launching her new hosiery brand, Bianca Miller London, and you can now pre-order your own hosiery to match your skin tone at www.biancamillerlondon.com
