Jade Goody's Death Has Increased Cervical Cancer Awareness in the UK

Jade Goody, reality star who recently passed away from cervical cancer, had had a lasting effect on the women in the UK. So many women have had screenings because of the awareness sparked by Goody that there is a delay in getting results! Since her death, UK health officials have seen an overwhelming spike in the amount of women getting cervical cancer screenings. Incredible!

I wish some of that urgency would spread across the Atlantic to the US, where we still have so many women not getting regular Pap smears. Some reasons why women do not get their regular Pap smears are because:

• they do not know they need them
  
• they cannot afford them because of lack of health insurance
  
• have had a hystectomy and think they do not need one (common misconception!)
  
• do not think they are at risk of cervical cancer

All of these reasons can be remedied with a little patient education! Below you will find my response and futher information concerning women who do not get regular Pap smears:

• How often should you have a regular Pap smear?
  
• How to Get a Free or Low Cost Pap Smear
  
• Should You Continue to Have a Pap After a Hysterctomy?
  
• Are You at Risk of Developing Cervical Cancer?