I know you know you need it. I know you think “nothing is wrong with me”. I know it’s a daunting, unpleasant idea, plus requires taking time off work or organising, but it really could save your life. New research has shown that nearly a third of women ignored their latest invitation for an appointment, and screening rates are at their lowest since they began.
More widely known as “The Smear Test”, the cervical cancer screening is a preventative swabbing which checks for cell changes (abnormalities) on your cervix caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
Speaking as someone who has had more people poking around my prIvate parts than I care to mention (medical professionals, thank you very much!), I understand it’s really not a fun idea, and can be a little daunting. But honestly? It’s no where near as bad as you think, you sit back and just… let it happen. They know what they’re doing – PLUS they see vaginas ALL. THE. TIME. Literally, it’s their job, and they are also super nice and realise it’s a little bit scary for us gals to open up our most intimate regions.
I was talking to a close friend the other day, she was saying she’s nervous and been putting off getting it done for months in case she knows the nurse (in the village we grew up in, a lot of nurses are our mum’s friends…) So we made a pact. We’ll get the smear test on the same day, and specifically ask for someone we don’t know! Easy peasy. *Watch this space*
Why is the screening so important?
– Around 3,200 British women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 1,000 die with the disease annually.
– It’s the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under.
– Cervical cancer screening in Britain has fallen to an all-time low, with nearly five million women overdue for testing.
– An early diagnosis of abnormal cell changes, will mean you are more likely to have successful treatment for Cervical Cancer, if later diagnosed.
[Read: The Importance of Having Your Smear Test]“Cervical cancer screening in Britain has fallen to an all-time low,
with nearly five million women overdue for testing.”
So let’s get to the knitty gritty – what actually happens? Is it actually really painful and awful? Why do we need it?
Is it painful?
No. The main thing is: a cervical screening is not painful, but it may feel a little uncomfortable (mainly because you’ve got your legs splayed open and a nurse is poking around with a tool resembling a toothbrush). But let’s face it, you’ve probably had bigger things around those parts… a small stick is no match for you!
How long does it take?
Your cervical screening appointment should take no longer than around 15 minutes, with the procedure itself taking approximately three minutes.
What happens during a smear test?
– Your nurse invites you into a treatment room. They should explain what cervical screening is and check if you have any questions.
– You then have a private space, usually behind a curtain, and undress from the waist down. If you are wearing a dress or skirt, you can leave this on and just remove your underwear.
– Your nurse asks you to lie on an examination bed. Usually you lie on your back with your legs bent up and your ankles together and your knees apart, you also get a paper sheet to cover the lower half of your body.
– Your nurse lets you know when the test is about to start. First, they gently put a new, clean speculum into your vagina. A speculum is usually a plastic cylinder with a round end (see picture below) – sometimes a metal speculum is used. The speculum is sometimes the part that people find uncomfortable.
– Once the speculum is inside your vagina, the nurse gently opens it so they can see your cervix.
– Then the nurse uses a small, soft brush to quickly take a sample of cells from your cervix. This may feel a little strange, but should not be painful.
– Your sample of cells is put into a small plastic container (vial) of liquid. The liquid preserves the cells.
– That’s it! The test is over for you. The nurse will take the speculum out of your vagina and give you a private space to dress again. They will explain how and when you should get your results.
Will I bleed?
You may bleed a very small amount – but that is totally normal! It’s simply because you have something rubbing you cervix that normally wouldn’t.
And that’s all it is! So don’t put it off any longer, it’s free, you pay for it in taxes so just do it, book it in before the new year.
I also know there are so many other things you could do with your time, not to mention having to work and have a social life, but this 3 minute test could save your life.
For more information, head over to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Website HERE
