Around one in four women miss smear tests in Wiltshire thisiswiltshire.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisiswiltshire.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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TV presenter Steph McGovern.
“I’ve had my smear tests a number of times and they can be different each time. Sometimes you don’t feel anything. Now it feels pretty ok but sometimes they can hurt, or people worry it’s going to hurt. But it’s not for long, even if there is a little bit of pain. It’s not the most comfortable experience in the world. This isn’t hurting, it just feels weird.”
With the test complete, she added: “That took 30 seconds or something, it can sometimes take slightly longer, getting into the position because it is hard to stay relaxed. This is embarrassing and it is sometimes uncomfortable and for some women it can be painful but it can save their life.”
Women have been urged to attend cervical screening appointments.
- Credit: Getty/Big C
Campaigners and doctors are calling on women - including those who have had HPV vaccinations - not to skip cervical screenings, as smear test figures fall short of the target.
Laura Woods, 35, from Oulton Broad, knew something wasn’t right before she’d even had her smear test in 2016.
Laura Woods (left) with welfare packs provided by Big C during the coronavirus pandemic
- Credit: The Big C
She had experienced back pain, unexplained tiredness, irregular bleeding and poor overall health before being diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer in March 2016.
A LECTURER who lives in Evesham will be taking on a 400km six-day cycling challenge in Kenya later this year to raise money in memory of her sister who died from ovarian cancer. Sara Greedy s sister Nicola Williams had the disease twice in two and a half years before she passed away six years ago. Sara, who lives in Evesham with her husband Clive, is now hoping to raise money for the charities Breast Cancer Now, Jo s Cervical Cancer Trust, and Ovarian Cancer Action when she travels to Kenya in October with her friend to take on the challenge. As well as my sister Nikki, I’ve had a few friends and colleagues who have had cancer, and there are three charities that benefit from what we re going to do, said Sara.
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UK Government launches call for evidence to improve health and wellbeing of women in England
To mark International Women’s Day, the government is launching a 12-week call for evidence to better understand women’s experiences of the health and care system
All women are urged to share their experiences to form the basis of a new Women’s Health Strategy
The strategy will set an ambitious and positive new agenda to improve health and wellbeing and ensure health services are meeting the needs of women
Launching to coincide with International Women’s Day, the call for evidence will form the basis of a landmark government-led Women’s Health Strategy, to improve the health and wellbeing of women across England and place women’s voices at the centre of their care.