Today marks the start of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.
According to Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, 1 in 4 women don't attend their smear test so I asked women what advice they would give to someone who's nervous about being tested.
1. Relax - Trish Auciello
https://twitter.com/Trish_Auciello/status/955369540648685568
2. Put your fists under bum - Kirsty Cameron
"I find it helps to tilt your hips and that's not just for ladies with a tilted cervix."
3. Sing to yourself - Melissa Johns
"I sing 'There she was just a walking down the street, singing do a diddy dum diddy do' and by the time I'm finished the nurse is done."
4. Take someone with you - Kayleigh Hanlon
"If you're afraid, taking someone close with you might stop you be frightened."
5. Chat to the nurse/doctor - Lynsey
"Talk to the nurse/doctor about your concerns before so they can reassure any worries you may have."
6. If it hurts, tell the nurse - Jules Slevin
"If you experience any pain for any reason you can ask the nurse to stop."
7. Ask for a smaller speculum - Jenny Marston
https://twitter.com/jennymarston_xo/status/954789644633329664
8. Count backwards from 60 - Deborah Hindson
"I've always found counting backwards from 60 - 0 always helps."
9. Wear a dress - Charlotte Bell
"You won't feel as exposed with a dress on."
10. Have a glass of Wine - Emma Harrington
"It'll relax you"
