When was your last smear test?

When was your last smear test? If you're a fella with a wife/girlfriend and you are reading this, when was hers?

Some people get a little bit embarrassed talking about smear tests. And while that's ok, it's a crucial conversation to have. That's because smear tests can save lives. In fact, getting regular smear tests (also called cervical screening, and PAP smears in some countries) is the BEST way to prevent cervical cancer.

When you get a smear test, they take a tiny area of cells from your cervix. That's the spongy disc right at the top of your vagina that is responsible for keeping a baby in-situ if you ever get pregnant. They can look at those cells under a microscope and see if they are starting to change and become cancerous. And if they are, you can have a procedure to remove them before they do. The same procedure can be carried out to remove early-stage cancer cells too - I know, because I had it done back in 2012 after a routine smear test detected some stage 1 cancer cells. And because they were removed early, I avoided needing any other treatment.

I'm not going to lie and say getting a smear test will be the most comfortable thing you will ever do. But trust me when I say that it IS one of the most important things you can do for your health if you're biologically female. And five minutes of awkwardness and uncomfortableness is well worth it to avoid cervical cancer, right?

If you do ONE thing today, check when your last smear test was. If you've got a partner, ask them when theirs was. And if you can't remember, phone your damn surgery and ask them to check their records. Bug the shit out of them until they tell you. And if you've not had one in the last 3 years - get it booked!