We know cancer isn’t something people much like talking about. After all, there are a lot of people who either know someone with it, lost someone to it or are currently fighting it themselves. But sometimes it needs to be done because the Big C touches everyone's life at some point and, quite frankly, it’s just too important not to talk about.
It’s currently Cervical Screening Awareness Week (8-14 June). Jade Goody’s death in 2009 brought cervical cancer to the front of everyone’s mind, but since then the number of women attending their cervical screenings has tailed off.
Last year, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust (a not-for-profit charity) reported that despite cervical cancer being the most common form of cancer to affect women under 35 in the UK, only 63% of women aged between 25 and 29 were attending their screenings. At the other end of the spectrum, their research also found that the number of women aged between 60 and 64 attending cervical cancer screenings is at a 15-year low.
To help restore the balance, The Red Lippy Projectare using this week to raise awareness of the disease – ultimately, the aim is to get women on the nurses' bed for a smear test. 'Cervical screenings saves lives and is the most effective way of cervical cancer prevention. Red Lippy Project is honouring the importance of cervical screenings by encouraging women to have it done. By donning your Red Lips once a year, it's a reminder to have it done and talk to your friends, doctor, family without stigma,' they say.
Support the cause by posting a selfie wearing your favourite red lipstick using the hashtags #redlippyproject #makeamark and make sure to follow @redlippyproject on Instagram and Twitter. Topshop Beauty have created the Red Lippy Lipstick (£8) for such a selfie. 'We’ve created the ultimate bold pillar-box-red shade that suits everyone, from the palest to the darkest of tones,' explains Topshop beauty consultant and make-up artist Hannah Murray. You can also get your hands on a lip-print make-up bag (£12), while 33% of each sale will be donated to the Red Lippy Project. You can also directly donate to The Red Lippy Project by texting RLIP14 £2 to 70070. The money raised will help to increase awareness.
But even if you don't want to selfie yourself in red lipstick, think about your own health. The NHS recommends women between the ages of 25 and 49 are screened every three years and women aged between 50 and 64 are screened every five years. However, if you are under 25 and you’re experiencing symptoms, such as unusual bleeding (particularly after sex), pain and discomfort during sex and an unpleasant smelling discharge, you will be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t get your GP to check everything out. Lecture over!
Follow Suzanne on Twitter @Suzanne_M_Scott
Picture: Jason Lloyd-Evans
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.