Coronation Street's Brooke Vincent shares 'SmearForSmear' post pleading for fans to get tested
And it's already working!
Last night Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in Coronation Street, posted a photo on Instagram to show her support for the SmearForSmear campaign launched by Jo's Trust that aims to encourage women to go and have regular smear tests to try and prevent deaths caused by cervical cancer. The post has already received a number of comments from fans who have replied to the post stating they will now go and get their smear test.
The actress, who is also currently taking part in ITV's Dancing On Ice, posted a picture with her lipstick smeared to highlight the SmearForSmear campaign and wrote a post explaining why. She wrote, ’I'm supporting @joscervicalcancertrust with a #SmearForSmear selfie because 1 in 4 women do not attend their smear test💕
'This for me is such a scary statistic having seen first hand the harsh reality of what putting off a smear could do.. many girls go and have a bikini wax or laser hair removal but are yet nervous, afraid or embarrassed of getting checked at the doctors. Let’s do our bit and try and change how our young woman of today and our future children look at this experience so it isn’t such a “scary” procedure..So it's not such a "taboo" subject and how 5 minutes of being a little uncomfortable can change a life. Tell your mum, sister, friend and auntie to book theirs too 💗 Attend your smear test to reduce your risk of cervical cancer.'
Between Monday 22nd and Sunday 28th January people are encouraged to share a #SmearForSmear selfie on social media, with smeared lipstick and a message of support for testing.
One fan, dolan2013, wrote '@sarahmjoyce Okay, We have to just stop putting this off! We are booking these for the weekend you are home!!!!!'
sharonelizabeth4th wrote, '@asherlee_x I agree. I'm 41 so need to get a grip. Thank you I will call them today xx'
Other Instagram followers shared their own stories on the post with kayla29888 writing, '@brookelevivincent this is such a good thing for you to get involved with given your status hopefully you can spread the word even more on how important smear tests are, I found that out the hard way going for my first ever smear test nearly 5 years ago I was told everything looked healthy and fine it wasn't until I finally got my results back to find I was CIN3 which is just 1 stage away from it being cervical cancer so I always tell my girl friends/family to get theres done after all whats a few minutes out of your day when it could save your life.'
After the death of Big Brother star Jade Goody from cervical cancer, there was a rise in the number of women being tested but the 'Jade Goody effect' seems to have faded. The number as the number of women getting tested is at 20-year low and a charity admits 'the Jade Goody effect is long gone. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust state that 'smear test attendance is falling across the UK with a 20 year low in England.'
Cancer of the cervix often has no symptoms in its early stages, so it's extremely important that women attend their smear test. Women aged 25 to 49 years are offered screening every three years and those aged 50 to 64 are offered every five years. Women older than 65 are offered a screening if they haven't had one since they were 50 or have had recent abnormal tests.
Jo's Trust state that they are 'the only UK charity dedicated to supporting women affected by cervical cancer & abnormalities.' They have a dedicated helpline set up on 0808 802 8000 and have put together the following video to encourage women to get tested.
Brooke is one of many celebrities who have shown support for the campaign. Presenter Kate Thornton shared a selfie and nominated her celebrity friends.
Hollyoaks actress Anna Passey, who plays Sienna Blake, also shared a picture.
Brooke is currently hard at work on Dancing On Ice and has been sharing pictures from her training with professional partner Matej Silecky. She's not taken a break from her day job either so is currently training and filming!
Dancing On Ice continues on ITV on Sunday at 6pm.