Every now and then there are 'perks of the job' to enjoy and one has recently come my way. As part of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week I was invited, as a 'Guest List' guest no less – get me! - to attend the 'Fight Cervical Cancer in Style' campaign bash.

Did I need to think about whether I wanted to go or not? Well, Paloma Faith, Pixie Lott, La Roux, and the Sugababes all performing, a catwalk show, a chance to catch up with friends, and most importantly, a truly important health message – what do you think? I didn't have to kick my brain into action – it was as they say – a no-brainer. Of course I was going!

Cervical cancer kills around three women every day, often young women who leave behind young families. This was the stark and sobering reminder we were greeted with, and why the campaign engaged young women, pop music, and fashion, to draw attention to this fact. Of great importance, however, is that cervical cancer is a preventable cancer - yes, really preventable.

No woman should have to die from cervical cancer. In fact, theoretically in this day and age no woman should even have to develop cervical cancer. We are lucky in this country to have a very good cervical cancer screening programme for women. Yes, having a smear test can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but a woman I spoke to not long ago, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 25 and needed a hysterectomy, before she had had children, told me the discomfort and embarrassment of having a smear test is nothing compared to the pain and upset of having cervical cancer.

This was echoed by another woman who had beaten cervical cancer not once, but twice after it returned following initial treatment. It's important to emphasise that the smear test – now called cervical screening test - is used to detect abnormal cervical cells before they become cancerous. Many women don't realise this. They think it identifies cervical cancer which is why many say they 'are terrified to have a smear test'. But this is what is so good about the test: it can pick up abnormal cells that can be successfully treated before they have a chance to develop into cancer.

So, you can see why it's so important for women to attend for a smear test when they are invited to do so.Never in my working lifetime did I think I'd see a vaccine available to protect against a type of cancer. Like many doctors I dreamed about this. And guess what, the dream is now a reality. The first breakthrough came when it was discovered that more than 90% of cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with a virus - HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).

Then came vaccines to protect against some of these viruses and for the last few years these vaccinations have been available to protect women against two of the strains of HPV that cause around 70% of cervical cancer. Imagine that - a vaccine that can prevent cancer - amazing. Being vaccinated doesn't mean smear tests are no longer needed, however, because they are. The vaccines protect against two cancer-causing HPV strains – not all of them so attending for regular smear tests is still very important.

Last year it was widely reported that Jade Goody's well-publicised battle with cervical cancer was responsible for 400,000 more women having their smear test. A tremendous legacy to leave. I hope that fun events such as the one I've just had the pleasure, and privilege, to attend also highlight and make more women aware of the importance of having a smear test and of taking steps to reduce their chance of developing cervical cancer, by not smoking for example.

For me the event was summed up by Director of Jo's Trust, Robert Music, who said: "We're delighted with the amount of celebrity support that has been forthcoming for this important campaign. This exciting event will enable us to deliver these serious messages in an engaging and memorable way. It was a very special evening." I whole-heartedly agree with his sentiments and hope that this is the beginning of a time when we see fewer and fewer women, and their families, being forced to go through the physical and emotional trauma of cervical cancer.

So as the campaign says, let's Fight Cervical Cancer in Style!

If you have any niggling health questions and would like to get in touch, then please drop me an email at DrRobHicks@aol.com
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