YouTuber Zoella films her smear test to raise awareness of cervical cancer
YOUTUBER Zoella filmed herself having a smear test to help raise awareness of cervical cancer.
Zoe Sugg, 29, shared the footage with her 4.8million followers and said she wanted to encourage more young women to attend their own screenings.
She said she'd let the nurse talk viewers through the procedure and showed the camera the instruments that were used.
She wanted viewers to feel "a little bit more at ease when they get their letter through the post."
Zoe admitted she was worried about getting undressed in front of a stranger before her first smear test.
But the nurse Jenny quickly put her at ease and explained that women get an invitation to go for their screening at age 24 and a half.
"If you're anxious please come and talk to us, because so many people are scared of having smear tests and they don't know what's involved," she said.
"It shouldn't be a horrible experience. It's not a pleasant experience, but it should never really hurt anybody."
Symptoms of cervical cancer
The devastating thing about cervical cancer is that there are no obvious symptoms during the early stages.
But vaginal bleeding can often be a tell-tale sign - especially if it occurs after sex, in between periods or after the menopause.
Women are offered smear tests from the age of 25 which look for any abnormalities in the cervix, but if you are under the age bracket, and you notice any of the following symptoms, you've got to push for testing.
Other warning signs include:
- pain and discomfort during sex
- unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
And if it spreads to other organs, the signs can include:
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
- severe pain in your side or back caused by your kidneys
- constipation
- peeing or pooing more than usual
- losing control of your bladder or bowels
- blood in your pee
- swelling in one or both legs
- severe vaginal bleeding
Zoe said she wanted to encourage women to attend their test as statistics show between 25-50% of women avoid them.
"I decided that something I think I would have found really reassuring before attending my first test, would have been to have watched someone else having their test and to understand a little more about it," Sugg wrote in the video's description.
"Although filming this was certainly out of my comfort zone, I really hope it encourages any of you who feel a bit uncertain, or have simply put it off to call your local GP and book your smear tests."
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