Research shows, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer than any other racial group — a finding still relatively unknown. However, thanks to the collaboration between Black Women’s Health Imperative and Project Health Equality, we now have Cerving Confidence. This Instagram/Ciara
Speaking to comfortability, we asked the Cerving Confidence spokeswoman in what ways could we talk to our girlfriends about their checkups. “Sharing our vulnerability is a great thing, and you can kind of do it together,” she suggests. “Like obviously you won’t be able to at the same time, but you still can like make your appointments together. You can make it fun.” And while the Cerving part of the name is extremely significant, it’s also important to recognize the Confidence. “What I enjoy about this campaign is the idea of serving confidence right now because it really is an opportunity to be your most confident self when you know your health and you know your status,” Wilson shares. “And also knowing that you can prevent cervical cancer, right? By actually doing your exam, getting your women wellness exam, setting your appointments for your HPV tests and your pap screening. When you do that, it’s game-changing and you can really walk confidently.” Wilson wants women to take initiative and know that sometimes it all it takes is one person saying, “Let’s go, join me on this.”
Being that one of her favorite things to do is to use her platform to educate, the mother of three talked us through how she herself got serious about her own health journey. “Well, I think for me, especially after having babies, I do my annual exam for my well woman exam,” she says. “But also for my total health and wellness, I do my EKG checks. My calcium, my magnesium, everything. I’m checking all levels and it’s the best feeling in the world. I want to witness every moment I can for my kids. Like, it’s so important to me, life is obviously very precious and it can sometimes be short as well.” The singer continues that she wants to maximize the time she has with her family and focus on the precious memories they’re able to create.
Part of normalizing cervical care is aligning it with self-care. Wilson made it known that getting her hair done and receiving hot stone massages is one of her favorite things to do. And though we know her as the super glam, stunning pop star, she wasn’t always this confident with her body. “You know, I used to be really skinny and super muscular. And walk hunched over because I was tall.” But then Wilson goes on to say, “There’s two phases. When I’m in my twenties, like mid-twenties, I’m like, okay, I’m feeling good. I feel like I’m like in a really good place. And then when you cross 30, it’s just something about your confidence just goes up. I feel like my best.” According to the Black Women’s Health Imperative and Project Health Equality, the best way to detect the disease is getting your Pap+HPV test in between ages 30-65.
Cerving Confidence is dedicated to helping women find power in taking care of themselves and their cervical health. Outside of “serving” looks, Wilson wants to instill lessons from this campaign in her kids. “I think it’s important for my kids to really know who they are,” she says. “And to know they have everything they need to thrive, survive and really be their best-selves and their truest selves. We’re also spiritual in our households. We always talk about having Jesus at the center of it all because I think is important for my kids to have a spiritual foundation. I want do whatever it takes for them to see me lead by example on how you can really achieve any goal.”
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