News

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (18th-24th January 2021)

As this week (18-24th January 2021) is Cervical Cancer Prevention week, Healthwatch Blackpool want to take this opportunity to urge members of our local community to attend their cervical screening appointments.

For women and people with a cervix, booking a cervical screening appointment may feel incredibly daunting and we completely understand this. This is why we want to remind people that there are various actions that can be taken to make the experience more comfortable, for example requesting a female nurse or doctor to conduct the screening.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, so being aware of the signs and symptoms is also key. The most common symptoms, taken from Cancer Research, include:

  • Vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you e.g. after sex, between regular periods

  • Pain or discomfort during sex

  • Vaginal discharge

  • Pain in the pelvic area between the hip bones

If you have noticed any of these signs or changes to your body, it is unlikely that you have cervical cancer but it is still crucial to contact your GP and get checked by a doctor.

If  Healthwatch Blackpool can be a source of encouragement for even one person to take the step and book their cervical screening appointment then we will see that as a success. It is important to remember that cervical screening is potentially life-saving!

Please see below some useful links for further information and support:

If you have been affected by cervical cancer, please reach out to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust for guidance and support:

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/

The national helpline number for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is 0808 802 8000. This is free and confidential.

For more information about cervical cancer symptoms: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/symptoms

If you wish to access more information about the current status of cervical screening in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, then visit this webpage for up to date advice: https://www.fyldecoastccgs.nhs.uk/2021/01/cervical-cancer-prevention-week-2021/