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Developed by Members and Staff at People Matters, March 2024

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Developed by Members and Staff at People Matters, March 2024

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Red - Cervical Cancer

Blue - HPV

Green - Healthy Lifestyles

Purple - Reasonable Adjustments

Orange - Other Resources and Websites

White - Member Stories

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What is cervical cancer? Explained by Thomasin

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What is cervical cancer? Explained by Thomasin

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This is where your cervix is in your body

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Symptoms of Cervical Cancer: Explained by Thomasin

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Symptoms of Cervical Cancer: Explained by Thomasin

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Untitled video - Made with Clipchamp (3)

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This is a 40 second video briefly explaining what happens at a cervical screening appointment.

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What happens during a cervical screening? | NHS

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Preventing Cervical Cancer: Explained by Thomasin

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Preventing Cervical Cancer: Explained by Thomasin

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This is what a speculum looks like - used to examine inside your cervix. There are five different sizes and you can ask for a smaller speculum if it feels uncomfortable.

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Cervical Screening Video - Cancer Research

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Cervical Screening Video - Cancer Research

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This is a 2 minute animated video to explain what happens during a cervical screening appointment.

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Should I go for cervical screening? | Cancer Research UK

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Speak to your doctor if you are worried: Explained by Thomasin

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Speak to your doctor if you are worried: Explained by Thomasin

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The vaccine reduces your chances of getting Human Papillomavirus (HPV). While most types of HPV are harmless, some can cause different types of cancer including cervical cancer. It can also cause genital warts.

Anyone can get the vaccine!

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You can have HPV for many years without any problems.

You can get HPV from:

Any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area;

Vaginal, anal or oral sex

Sharing sex toys.

HPV has no symptoms, so you may not know if you have it.

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Fidel considered the foods he eats, and what food groups makes up a healthy mixed diet - like having different coloured fruit and vegetables, a variety of protein and dairy and wholewheat carbohydrates

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REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER WITH A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

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REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER WITH A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

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Eating a variety of fruit and vegetables each day will help keep you healthy

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Exercise doesn't have to be boring! Try dancing to get your body moving!

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Strawberries to match her favourite colour!

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Make activity part of your everyday life, by going for walks in Leeds!

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Great to try different fruit you've not had before!

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The NHS has a collection of easy-to-follow exercises that can be done at home.

These exercises can reduce your risk of major illnesses, including cancer!

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Strength exercises like these can be done at home to improve your health and mobility.
Do not worry if you have not done much for a while, these strength exercises are gentle and easy to follow.

For the chair-based exercises, choose a solid, stable chair that does not have wheels and that will not slip on the surface it is on.

You should be able to sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent at right angles. Avoid chairs with arms, as these will restrict your movement.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and keep some water handy.

Build up slowly and aim to gradually increase the repetitions of each exercise over time.

Try to do these exercises at least twice a week and combine them with the other routines in this series:

Sit-to-stand

Mini-squats

Calf raises

A. Rest your hands on the back of a chair for stability.

B. Lift both heels off the floor as far as is comfortable. The movement should be slow and controlled.

Repeat 5 times.

To make this more difficult, perform the exercise without support.

Sideways leg lift

Leg extension

Wall press-up

Biceps curls

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Strength exercises like these can be done at home to improve your health and mobility. Do not worry if you have not done much for a while, these strength exercises are gentle and easy to follow. For the chair-based exercises, choose a solid, stable chair that does not have wheels and that will not slip on the surface it is on.

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Easy read guide for next steps.

Have someone come in with you to the appointment.

If you would prefer to choose the doctor or nurse by name, or if you would like to choose a female doctor or nurse.

Ask to see the equipment before it is used (such as looking at the speculum) so you have an idea of what to expect. Ask the nurse to talk through how it will be used.

Request a longer appointment time by booking a double appointment.

Think about what time of day would suit you; would you like your appointment to be first thing in the day, or later on? When can you use your bus pass?

To have time to process what is being said to you.

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Reasonable Adjustments You Should Expect

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Reasonable Adjustments You Should Expect

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To be given time to ask questions and make sure you understand what is going to happen.

To be communicated with in your preferred method, such as through text, or phone call, or letter.

To be given as much warning about their appointment before it happens.

Some patients may be non verbal and need PECS or a picture timetable.

A hospital passport may help for doctors to understand your needs (see how to make one below).

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Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has information about cervical cancer, screenings, HPV and the vaccine - and a helpline to call

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Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity. We campaign for change, provide support and trustworthy information at every step.

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This booklet is an easy read guide to the HPV vaccination, provided by the Department of Health and Social Care

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This is an easyread booklet from Macmillan Cancer - you can also request a paper copy.

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Macmillan Cancer Support

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You can print this out and bring it with you to your appointments so that doctors know how best to support you.

It could be helpful to email completed Hospital Passports to leeds-tr.ldautism@nhs.net or post them to 'Learning Disability and Autism Team, 2nd Floor, Trust Headquarters, St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF' so they can be uploaded electronically.

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This link will take you to the Macmillan website, where you can listen to an informational podcast about cervical cancer

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This audiobook is about cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer). The audiobook explains the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, and how it is diagnosed and treated. It also has information about emotional, practical and financial issues.

This audiobook is about cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer). The audiobook explains the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, and how it is diagnosed and treated. It also has information about emotional, practical and financial issues.

Macmillan Support Line

The Macmillan Support Line is a free and confidential phone service for people living and affected by cancer. If you need to talk, we'll listen.

Financial guidance

Financial issues can cause worry when someone becomes ill. You may be able to claim benefits to help you in your situation. You may also be able to get financial assistance from other organisations.

Welfare rights advice and tools

There are lots of benefits that could help you after a cancer diagnosis, but the system can be confusing. Our Welfare Rights Advisors are here to help.

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This audiobook is about cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer). It explains how it is diagnosed and treated and support available. Listen now.

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Cancer Research UK is a charity which provides information about cancer, and funds research into diagnosing and treating cancer.

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Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system.

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Leeds Health Awareness encourage more people to talk about their health, and to make use of health screening services

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It's a major factor in providing successful treatment. To reinforce this key message we get creative offering:

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This organisation offers support and advice to people with gynaecological cancers, including cervical cancer

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GO Girls are a national charity, supported by our patron Helen Lederer. We support women with gynaecological cancers, raise awareness of these diseases and campaign for earlier diagnostics and improved treatments.

GO Girls want to ensure all women with gynaecological cancers receive the support they truly deserve on what is often a lonely and difficult journey. Survival rates are still very low, particularly for those with ovarian cancers where survival has not improved in 21 years.

In the last 5 years our membership has grown via our online support group, and we continue to grow. More women recognise support is essential to coping with a gynaecological cancer. We have raised £50,000 to fund a consulting room at Dorset County Hospital - our legacy to the women in the South West where GO Girls began.

We have now launched our next £50,000 target to support the funding of 5 awareness campaigns for all 5 gynaecological cancers. We'd love your support. We are run by a small and dedicated team of Trustees with no paid staff. This means that most of what we raise, and you raise, goes to support our work - we couldn't do it without you - so thank you.

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GO Girls | Gynaecological Cancer Advice | Supporting Your Cancer Journey

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GO Girls are a national charity, supported by our patron Helen Lederer. We support women with gynaecological cancers, raise awareness of these diseases and campaign for earlier diagnostics and improved treatments. GO Girls want to ensure all women with gynaecological cancers receive the support they truly deserve on what is often a lonely and difficult journey.

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Sex education in the 70s was practically none existent. Not many parents spoke openly to the older children about sex. In schools, very basic information was provided. A video was played which basically showed how a baby was made. Nothing was spoken about, feelings weren't considered, contraception wasn't readily available; the whole thing was very taboo.

Information given about puberty for both boys and girls was very basic. Periods were talked about but not in great detail and not many products were available.

Different sexualities were never mentioned and the assumption was that everyone would grow up, get married to the opposite sex and have children.

It's been good learning and talking more openly about these issues over the course of the project.

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I have had a smear test before and I found it really uncomfortable as I didn't know what to expect and I wasn't relaxed.

Now, after learning about reasonable adjustments, I know that I can bring my support worker into the appointment and ask for a smaller speculum.

Even though I am still nervous, I know it's really important to do so I will definitely attend my next one.

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Mencap have got this letter that you can fill in and take to your doctors, so they know what support you need to access medical appointments.

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Our wellbeing groups have been learning about cervical cancer, HPV, cancer detection and prevention.

People Matters: we are a charity based in Leeds, creating opportunities for people with learning disabilities and other hidden disabilities to be more independent and confident. You can find out more about our services here: https://peoplemattersleeds.co.uk/