Cervical Cancer Prevention Week: How could this affect you?

This disease could have everything to do with you, if you do not attend a routine cervical screening (smear test) when requested by your GP.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, launched yesterday, runs until Saturday - and women across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to focus on all things cervical cancer-related.

Emma Ward shares her #SmearForSmear selfie.

But how much do you know about the illness, and do you know what to look out for?

This type of cancer is largely preventable thanks to routine smear tests and HPV vaccinations - but figures released by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust have revealed that one in four women across the UK still don't attend their smear tests when invited.Do you?

Eight women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day, the charity has said, - and three of them will go on to lose their lives to the disease.

So this week, find out what you can do to help spread the world and encourage other women to attend their screenings.

Fraire Armstrong shares her #SmearForSmear selfie.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Unusual bleeding

Unpleasant discharge

Pain or discomfort during sex

Emily-Rose Dickinson shares her #SmearForSmear selfie.

Constipation

Blood in your urine

Loss of bladder control

Loss of appetite

Rachel Appleby shares her #SmearForSmear selfie.

Weight loss

Tiredness and a lack of energy

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust launched its #SmearForSmear selfie campaign yesterday, which last year helped millions of women across the country visit their GPs for tests. If every woman attending their test when invited, it would significantly reduce the risk that cervical cancer currently poses in the UK. If you want to get involved this week, here's what to do:

* Put on your favourite lipstick

*Smear your lipstick and take your #SmearForSmear selfie

Hollyoaks actress Kirsty Leigh Porter shares her #SmearForSmear selfie.

*Share your #SmearForSmear on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and nominate a friend to take one too - while promising each other to attend routine screenings.

*Send your selfie to us, or tag us in your selfie on social media, so we can share your picture to our readers.

You can donate to Jo's Trust by texting "JCCT16 Â£5" to 70070.

To find out more about Jo's Trust, click here.