Beauty Bloggers Pixiwoo, Lily Pebbles And The Londoner Join #SmearForSmear Campaign – But What Is It?

Did you know that one million women failed to take up the offer of a smear test last year?

That’s one million women risking their lives by not taking precautions against cervical cancer – one of the few cancers that is actually preventable.

And it’s young women in particular that are refusing to take up the offer.

Cervical cancer tests are lowest amongst women aged 25-29 and it’s this age group that really needs the encouragement to go and have a smear test done.

In aid of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (25-31 Jan), charity Jo’s Trust is aiming to raise awareness of smear tests with a new social media campaign, #SmearForSmear.

People across the UK are posting selfies on social media with lipstick smeared over their face in a bid to encourage women to take part .

And a number of bloggers are doing their bit too with acclaimed make-up artists Pixiwoo just one of the names to take part.

Posting a picture on Facebook of her smeared lipstick selfie, one half of Pixiwoos Nicola Haste (nee Chapman) nominated her sister Sam to get involved.

Brit beauty blogger Lily Pebbles also got in on the action, sharing a snap of her with smeared lipstick.

“I always put off booking a smear test if i'm honest but it's never as bad I think! [sic],” she wrote.

“Here's my #‎SmearForSmear to encourage you guys to book in & not put it off any longer. Take a smeared lipstick selfie & spread the word!”

And lifestyle blogging beauty Rosie 'The Londoner' got involved too, encouraging her readers to get checked.

"Jumping on the #‎smearforsmear bandwagon as a nudge to get you to book in for a checkup!" said Rosie.

"Cervical cancer is preventable and the sooner you get a smear test, the better. Don't put it off, give your doctor a ring."

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Trust, said it’s time we start seeing an upward shift in cervical cancer screenings among young women.

“Every day we see the devastating impact a cervical cancer diagnosis can have on both a woman and her loved ones,” he said.

"But to know that, for those that delayed their screening before diagnosis, this could have been prevented is tragic.

“It's now time that we see an upward shift in awareness of cervical cancer and an understanding of the importance of smear tests."

We really hope this campaign helps to raise awareness of cervical cancer in women of all ages as it’s the lives of our mothers, sisters, aunties and cousins that are on the line here.

Fingers crossed people don't miss the point like they did with the no make-up selfie campaign.

To donate, text CCPW01 followed by the amount you'd like to donate (including the '£') to 70070, or you can donate online.

For more information on Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, smear tests and the symptoms of cervical cancer, visit Jo’s Trust and the NHS website now.

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