Nearly 4 in 10 people (38%) surveyed said they wished they had been taught more about the gynaecological symptoms to look out for, either at home or at school, and over a third of them (35%) wished they had been taught more about gynaecological health conditions.
“These results highlight a worrying gap in both knowledge and awareness.” Says Eve CEO, Athena Lamnisos: “When it comes to health issues, we know that fear, stigma and embarrassment are reduced when a subject is normalised and understood – that basic health education needs to start at an early age. That’s why Get Lippy is such an important campaign – we need to help everyone have normal conversations about gynaecological issues. Knowing basic information about signs, symptoms and cancer risk factors such as the HPV virus, is vital to supporting people to keep themselves well.”
Our survey also found a worrying lack of knowledge about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and cervical screening, the test which looks for the virus and helps prevent cervical cancer from developing. Get Lippy ambassador, Karen Hobbs, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer says she didn’t know anything about HPV until the moment her doctor told her she had cervical cancer: “I was 24 and had been given very little sex education at school, let alone any gynae health information as a young adult. I was too old for the HPV vaccine and too young for a cervical screening test, so very much caught in the middle. I feel sad and frustrated that I only learned about gynae cancers when being diagnosed with one, and I know I’m not alone in that.”
HPV is responsible for 99.8% of cases of cervical cancer, nearly 70% of cases of vulval cancer and over half of vaginal cancers. Less than a quarter of women surveyed felt they had a good understanding of cervical screening before it happened to them or a friend or family member (23%), and only 5% of women had a good understanding of HPV.
Karen wants to see more education around HPV and the related cancers to reduce misinformation and stigma, which she felt first-hand after her diagnosis: “I remember telling someone that I had cervical cancer, they asked ‘how do you get that?’ – a little phrase I say when telling this story is, ‘would they have asked the same, if I said breast, bowel or brain?’ – there is an immediate curiosity and secrecy attached to having a gynaecological cancer, and when I explained that it was caused by HPV, they said ‘but I thought you had a boyfriend?’. Coping with a cancer diagnosis at 24 was hard enough but having to explain and almost defend myself because of the type of cancer I had, is something that nobody should have to go through.”
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Anita Mitra, wasn’t surprised by the findings: “Unfortunately the statistics don’t shock me, because they represent what I see in my day-to-day practice. Receiving a diagnosis of a gynae cancer is devastating, but hearing about these conditions for the first time must make it even more scary.”
Dr Naomi Sutton, Sexual Health Consultant believes that embedding fundamental knowledge about our bodies, including our genitals, is crucial to prevent fear and stigma and to empower people to present to a health care professional in a timely manner should they notice changes: “There are so many myths and misunderstandings, especially when it comes to sex and our genitals, that education needs to be started when children are young, in an age-appropriate way, so they can build a healthy understanding of their own normal. It is only education and knowledge which will help to combat the fear and shame someone might feel when diagnosed with HPV, or any other gynaecological problem.”
All through May we are Getting Lippy and Loud about gynaecological health- and we need you to Get Lippy too. Wonderful brands are supporting us by giving 10% of sales of nominated products through the month, which will be announced on our website on the 1st of May. So look out, buy a product, share our gynae health information and Get Lippy and Loud this May to help break the shame around gynae health.
On Get Lippy Day, 12th of May, we are also asking supporters, celebrities, politicians, healthcare professionals, beauty bloggers and members of the public to join us and share their ‘Younger Selfie’ with what they wish they’d known about gynae health when they were younger (a photo of their younger self).
Find out more about how you can Get Lippy on our website: getlippy.org.uk