Cancer is top of my home school curriculum – my kids are learning to put their health first – The Sun

But, never has there been a better time for us mums to teach our daughters a thing or two – about themselves.

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Yes, maths and English and history are important.

But coronavirus lockdown is giving us all a real chance to spend time with our kids and focus on some life lessons that really count.

I have two kids, Hugo and Eloise.

Since being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, all I can think about is protecting them from ever getting it.

I've always been honest with them and they come to some appointments with me.

But, as Eloise is getting older – she's ten now – I've become more aware of making sure she is never embarrassed to ask questions, or talk about her body.

Health is the most important life lesson

Covid has really emphasised for me, and so many of us, the importance of our health.

No job, no lifestyle, no party is more important.

Cancer gave me my first reality check, and while I feel like I probably didn't need another – Covid has definitely slapped me round the face.

Never do you value your health more than when it is whipped away from you.

No amount of money or hope will bring it back – it's a sobering and tough realisation.

But it's one that I am determined to turn into a positive.

As an ex-teacher I love a lecture… but one of the things that really drives me and keeps me going is the thought that I could help my kids avoid cancer.

Cancer is on my kids' home school curriculum

SIGNS OF 5 GYNAE CANCERS

WOMB CANCER

One of the most common signs is vaginal bleeding, while other symptoms include:

• Watery discharge, which may get heavier over time
• Pain the back, legs or pelvis
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Pain during sex
• Pre-menopausal women may have periods heavier than usual or bleeding in between

OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian cancer can be difficult to spot because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions, such as IBS or PMS.

The four pain symptoms to look out for are:

• Increased abdominal size and persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
• Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
• Unexplained change in bowel habits
• Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly, or feeling nauseous

CERVICAL CANCER 

Symptoms aren't always obvious and they may not show until it has reached an advanced stage.

Some women won't see any signs at all, which is why attending all of your cervical screening appointments is so important.

What to look out for:

• Vaginal bleeding, often after having sex
• Bleeding between periods, or post-menopause
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• Unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge

VULVAL CANCER

Here's what to look out for:

• A lasting itch
• Pain or soreness
• Thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the vulva
• An open sore or growth visible on the skin
• A mole on the vulva that changes shape or colour
• A lump or swelling in the vulva

VAGINAL CANCER

Although many early-stage cancers do not have indicative signs, some possible symptoms include:

• Unexpected bleeding, eg. between periods, after menopause or after sex
• Vaginal discharge that smells or may be blood stained
• Vaginal pain during sexual intercourse
• A vaginal lump or growth that you or your doctor can feel
• A vaginal itch that won’t go away and pain when urinating
• Persistent pelvic and vaginal pain

I want to see cancer on the curriculum – and now I'm in charge of homeschooling it is.

This month is gynaecological cancer awareness month and as an Eve Appeal ambassador I am once again backing their Get Lippy campaign.

The message is simple… we all need to know our bodies, and not get all embarrassed if we notice changes and have to see a doctor.

The best place to start is the facts.

Then it's about learning what is normal for you, how your bits look and feel – so you can work out when something's up.

And to know that, you need to know the symptoms.

So starting with the facts… did you know there are five types of gynae cancer? That's right:

• ovarian
• cervical
• womb
• vaginal
• vulval – yep, you read it right.

Vagina isn't a dirty word

Chances are you have probably heard of the first three, and might be a bit confused by the last two?

Aren't they one and the same thing – interchangeable names for your lady bits?

Nope. And there in lies a problem.

Because we all get very British about our bits, lots of women can't accurately name all the different parts.

Do you know your labia from your vulva, your vagina from your cervix?

If we can't label our bits right, how are we meant to know if something is wrong?

Part of the problem is we're too embarrassed to use words like vagina and vulva – instead opting for "privates" and "lady garden".

Spotting cancer early saves lives

Early diagnosis saves lives when it comes to cancer, so being as clued up as possible about our bodies can only be a good thing.

I don't want my daughter to grow up embarrassed to use the word vagina.

I want her to feel empowered to say it out loud, to know what feels right to her and to ask the questions that could ultimately save her life.

It's my responsibility to teach her.

New research from the Eve Appeal this month showed around one in three women would delay seeing a doctor if they suffered bleeding after sex – a key symptom of cervical cancer.

Almost half would delay getting bleeding between periods investigated by a doctor – that's a key sign of three of the five gynae cancers.

So, if you are homeschooling your kids during lockdown maybe start adding 'Know your body' to your own curriculm.

Use this difficult time to help your kids understand one of life's most important lessons – the value of their health.

It's easy to bury our heads in the sand and ignore what we fear most, but by being brave and seeking help early you might save your life.

And if you do spot a sign or symptom that you're worried about, don't let lockdown stop you either.

The NHS is still open for business, and are there to help.

Worryingly urgent cancer referrals are down by 75 per cent – raising fears people will be diagnosed later than they would be.

So, make it your business today to get to know your body, and teach your kids to follow your lead.

Get your sons and daughters comfortable in their own skin, and help them navigate their fears.

Surely, putting our health first should be the number one life lesson we can all take from this Covid nightmare?

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