Brought to you by Treatwell, in partnership with
Public Health England
Brought to you by Treatwell, in partnership with Public Health England
The number of women attending their cervical screening is at a 20 year low, with one in four women not going. However, we are seeing an increasing number of women booking intimate waxes on Treatwell each year. In 2019 this was +84% year-on-year.
Treatwell has partnered with Public Health England’s ‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’ campaign to create ‘Life Saving Wax’, working with salons across the country to talk about the importance of cervical screenings.
Life Saving Wax. Life Saving Chat.
What’s Cervical
Screening?
Cervical screening (or ‘smear test’) is a regular check of the health of the cervix (the entrance to the womb), and can detect potentially harmful cells before they develop into cancer.
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but regular screenings can stop cancer before it starts.
How to make your screening more comfortable
- Talk to your nurse – they’re trained and experienced in making your appointment comfortable.
- Take a friend, or a family member with you. That might ease any nerves.
- Wear a loose skirt or dress – it can make you feel more covered.
- Ask your nurse about breathing exercises to help you relax, or try listening to something you enjoy – like a podcast, or music.
Do I need
a screening?
If you’ve got a cervix – which is most women and many trans people – aged between 25-64, you’re eligible for regular cervical screenings.
- If you’re aged 25-49, every 3 years
- If you’re aged 50-64, every 5 years
When it’s time for you to have your cervical screening, you’ll receive an invitation letter through the post – don’t ignore it! If you’ve got any queries, just talk to your GP practice. if you’ve missed your last cervical screening or aren’t sure if you’ve had it, don’t worry - you can call and book an appointment with your GP practice now.
What’s Cervical
Screening?
Cervical screening (or ‘smear test’) is a regular check of the health of the cervix (the entrance to the womb), and can detect potentially harmful cells before they develop into cancer.
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but regular screenings can stop cancer before it starts.
How to make your screening more comfortable
- Talk to your nurse – they’re trained and experienced in making your appointment comfortable.
- Take a friend, or a family member with you. That might ease any nerves.
- Wear a loose skirt or dress – it can make you feel more covered.
- Ask your nurse about breathing exercises to help you relax, or try listening to something you enjoy – like a podcast, or music.
Do I need a screening?
If you’ve got a cervix – which is most women and many trans people – aged between 25-64, you’re eligible for regular cervical screenings.
- If you’re aged 25-49, every 3 years
- If you’re aged 50-64, every 5 years
When it’s time for you to have your cervical screening, you’ll receive an invitation letter through the post – don’t ignore it! If you’ve got any queries, just talk to your GP practice. if you’ve missed your last cervical screening or aren’t sure if you’ve had it, don’t worry - you can call and book an appointment with your GP practice now.
“We are thrilled to be involved in the Life Saving Wax initiative – it was a no brainer for us. Women come to us to look after themselves from the outside so anything we can do to open the conversation and ensure women look after themselves from the inside to is really important. Just by talking to our clients in a simple way about cervical screening makes a huge difference and it’s been easy to discuss as Treatwell have provided us with lots of materials. The feedback we have received so far from clients has been amazing and we have had people thanking us because it’s encouraged them to look out for their invite when it comes and not to ignore it.”
Tanja Westendorff from Sugaring London
How can I get involved
in Life Saving Wax?
Help us continue the conversation on cervical screening. Encourage friends and family to go if you know they’re putting it off. Share your stories and experiences using the hashtag #LifeSavingWax – let’s talk about it.
