One in four people who are eligible for cervical screening don’t attend. Cervical screening is vital in the fight against cervical cancer.
Cervical smears are now checked for the HPV virus first. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by persistent HPV infection, so checking for HPV first makes sense and allows patients to be monitored more closely.
If you have been invited to have a cervical screening, but haven’t yet booked, please make an appointment as soon as possible. Cervical screening can help to identify changes that can lead to cervical cancer.
- www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week
- www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-cervical-cancer-screening
Blood donation
Blood donors are urgently needed. If you haven’t donated before, or not for a while, please consider doing so if you can. Blood donation saves lives. You could make a real difference. NHS Blood Donation needs almost 400 new donors every day to meet demand. If you haven’t given blood before, could you?
Young carers
If you’re a young carer, you should not be carrying out the same level of caring responsibilities as an adult carer does. You can request an assessment to ensure you get the right support to continue with your education.
If you’re a young carer, some of the challenges in your life will be things your friends don’t understand. If you need support, Young Minds have some suggestions that could help you.
- www.nhs.uk/conditions/socia…s-for-carers/being-a-young-carer-your-rights
- www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/young-carers
Drug abuse
If you’ve been abusing drugs, it can have a significant effect on your life. The NHS can help you to recover from drug addiction.
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are facilitated by recovering addicts who really understand the challenges you face.