If you are female you are not routinely screened for Ovarian cancer. I didn’t understand the symptoms and neither did my mate. She’s not here any more. The symptoms are easily dismissed as irritable bowel. Knowing our female bodies is crucial. Knowing our bodies are female. Same.

Ovarian cancer will not be detected by a smear test. I now feel ridiculously stupid that I didn’t know this. I read. English is my first language. I’m university educated. I had all the advantages to allow me to know about the female body. I didn’t. Language MUST be clear.

For women who do not have English as a first language or who have been disadvantaged in education for various reasons .... they must be helped to understand about disease affecting the female reproductive system so that they don’t die. “Gender identity” does not trump that need.

What is also missing from this list above is painful penetrative sex. Why aren’t we discussing this with women? Can we still not talk about women and our bodies and the sex we have with them even if it would save lives. I’ll do it. If it feels like a red hot poker - get checked.

Obv this is not limited to heterosexual women. If it hurts when you use sex toys find out why. Likewise tampon insertion can be really painful too. Just go and ask. Your GP will understand and investigate. If you’ve just got a tipsy cervix they’ll tell you!