#SmearforSmear campaign kicks off

A new awareness campaign has women across the globe smudging their lipstick to raise awareness for cervical cancer screening.

Initiated by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in the UK, the #SmearforSmear campaign calls for women to pop on their favourite lipstick, smudge it a little, then take a selfie and post it to Instagram using the #smearforsmear hashtag.

A simple but powerful message, the campaign aims to raise awareness about how regular pap smear tests are still one of the best screening tools available to prevent and detect cervical cancer. Regular pap tests not only find cancerous cells in the cervix, they can also pick up on cell changes that could turn into cancer if not treated.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, representing 7.5 percent of all female cancer deaths.

The Asia Oceania region alone contributes more than 50 percent of diagnosed cervical cancer cases globally.

Pap smear tests are recommended by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board for women 25 years and above once every three years. The Singapore Cancer Society provides free pap smear screening to female Singaporeans and Permanent Residents from their 25th birthday.

As the likes of Georgia May Jagger and Rita Ora jump onboard this social media bandwagon, women everywhere can participate by following the #smearforsmear hashtag on Instagram, posting their own smudged selfies and encouraging their female friends to join in as well.

Further Links:
Singapore Cancer Society
World Health Organization
Health Promotion Board