Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust's #SmearForSmear campaign aims to remind women to avail of a potentially life-saving smear tests.

The #SmearForSmear campaign has seen thousands of women sharing a selfie of smeared lipstick after attending their smear test.

The charity was founded in memory of Jo Maxwell, who was just 40 when she died of cervical cancer in 1999. Jo’s husband set up the charity in memory of his wife with the hopes that more women could become aware of cervical cancer, its causes, and how to prevent it.

In Ireland, 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year.

Smear tests only take a couple of minutes but can potentially save your life. Even if you have no symptoms, it’s important that any abnormalities are caught early.

CervicalCheck is Ireland’s national screening programme, which offers FREE smear tests to women aged 25 to 60 years.

Once you attend your smear, they will let you know when your next smear test will be. It is usually once every 3 to 5 years.

According to the Irish Cancer Society, the three most common symptoms of cervical cancer are:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding. For example, bleeding in between your periods, after sex or after the menopause.
  • Blood-stained vaginal discharge that may have a foul smell.
  • Discomfort or pain in your pelvis.

 

Book your smear test today.  For more details, contact CervicalCheck at 1800 45 45 55 or visit the CervicalCheck website.