Cervical Cancer Screening

There’s no getting away from it, the test is intimate. But, it just takes a few minutes and it’s all done.

A nurse or GP will ask you to lie on your back, and give you a new, clean paper sheet to cover the lower half of your body. She will ask you to bring your ankles up towards your bottom and let your knees go floppy.

She will gently put a new, clean speculum into your vagina. It’s a smooth plastic cylinder with a round end. Once inside your vagina, the nurse or GP will open the speculum slightly and take a small soft brush to quickly take a sample of cells from your cervix. It will probably feel a bit strange, but should not be painful.

The speculum is then removed and that’s it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7knyPlT4DXU&t=45s

• Timing is everything.  Book your appointment for the middle of your cycle, so you’re not on your period.
• Wear something comfy.  A dress, skirt or long top means you can leave your clothes on and help you feel less exposed.
• Don’t use creams, lubricants or medication in your vagina before your smear – not necessary.
• Double up.  When booking an appointment you can ask for a longer (double) appointment to give yourself a little more time, without worrying about the clock.
• Deep breathing.  Slow, mindful breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, slowly and gently will help relax your mind and body and remove tension. Concentrate on relaxing your hands (no clenching) and your breathing while the test takes place.

You should receive a letter in the post with your result. It can take up to eight weeks.

If you receive a normal result you will be invited back for another screening in 3-5 years time (depending on your age).

If the results come back as positive, it does not mean you have cervical cancer.  The test has identified the HPV virus and sometimes unusual cells in your cervix may have developed. There are two potential results below:

1. HPV found but no abnormal cells.  You’ll be invited back for another screening in 1 year.

or

2. HPV found and abnormal cells.  You’ll be invited for a colposcopy.  Like a smear test but done in hospital.

Try not to worry if you have been referred for a colposcopy!  Any changes to your cells will not get worse before that appointment.

If you’re under 25 you will not be invited for cervical screening. This is because cervical cancer is very rare in people under 25 which might lead to having treatment you do not need – abnormal cell changes often go back to normal in younger women. For more information please visit the NHS website.

Cervical screening should not hurt. It may be a little uncomfortable and you may feel a small pinch, but it shouldn’t be painful.

Even if you’ve had the vaccine, you should still go for cervical screening. The vaccine does not protect against all strains of the virus. The test also looks for changes in cells which may be an early indicator of cervical cancer.

HPV is not necessarily contracted through sexual activity, as HPV can spread easily through skin-to-skin contact. Prolonged contact with infected skin, such as holding hands, may cause transmission of the virus.

If you’ve never had any type of sexual intercourse, you’re unlikely to have HPV. However there are other risk factors for developing cervical cancer, such as family history and smoking.

You’re not alone! Lots of people worry about their smear test. You can always take a friend or relative for a bit of moral support. If you have to go alone, know that the test takes only a few short minutes. When you lie on the bed, try to close your eyes, picture something calming and practice deep breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth until the nurse or GP is finished.

The smear test saves thousands of lives every year! About 1 in 20 smears find abnormal cells. Most of these won’t lead to cervical cancer. But in some cases the abnormal cells will need to be removed so they can’t become cancerous. The fear is always worse than knowing! And like most women, you won’t need another one for three years.

If you are under the age 65, you should be screened for cervical cancer.

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 64 will be invited to a cervical screening.

We all think we’ll get round to booking an appointment and before you know it, months or even years have passed! You wouldn’t go that long without a hair appointment or dentist appointment. Your cervical screening appointment is really important. Please make your health your priority.

It’s easy to say don’t be embarrassed but we know it’s much harder to stop feeling it. You are not alone in that feeling. Lots of people feel nervous, embarrassed and uncomfortable. It’s natural! Try not to let your embarrassment take over. Millions of women have a smear every year. Nurses and GPs do this every single day. Your cervical screening test could save your life – definitely worth a bit of embarrassment.

That’s understandable. Most surgeries will automatically provide a female practitioner or ask if you have preference.

Understandably that will put you off.  Every nurse and GP is different. You have the option to ask for a double appointment so you don’t have any time pressure. Explain to the health practitioner your past experience so they can help you, and hopefully ensure this time is much better.

It is always your right to decide what you do with your body and your health. The cervical screening programme finds the HPV virus and/or abnormal cells in around 1 in 20 people. The screening ensures early detection of preventable cervical cancer. You are invited to test every three years, and it takes a few minutes at your GP surgery.

You do not need to shave or remove your pubic hair.