Your Go-to Guide for Cervical Screenings - Cervical Screening Awareness Week

Previously known as a smear test (or a ‘pap smear test’ in the US), a cervical screening is a preventative health measure designed to identify early indications of cervical cancer, changes in cells as well as HPV. In the UK, people with cervixes will be invited for the first time around 24.5 years of age.

While the screening leads to improved treatment and overall well-being, it can be a daunting experience, especially the first time. 

For Cervical Screening Awareness Week, we at Smiley News reached out to a handful of charities to create an all inclusive guide with helpful tips and commonly asked questions for those that have cervical screenings. 

Tips

Let’s start off with tips from Wellbeing of Women and Lady Garden Foundation. 

• If you want to take a friend or a partner along with you, you can.
• You might get a little bit of bleeding afterwards, which is totally normal. Please feel free to take a pad with you.
• You’re within your rights to leave a test if lubricant isn’t used and you’d like it to be. Better yet, take your own!
• The general guidance is try not to go for screening while you’re on your period – if you do come on your period unexpectedly, you can always rebook.
• Take ibuprofen or paracetamol an hour before your screening to help reduce any potential discomfort.
• Schedule the test for when you're not on your period - the best time is mid-cycle.
• You can ask the nurse to use a smaller speculum - The extra-small speculum was originally named the 'virgin speculum', unnecessarily sexualising an important medical procedure and further discouraging women from attending. Last year, the Lady Garden Foundation campaigned for it to be renamed and ban the term 'virgin' speculum within advertising. NHS speculum suppliers now offer an ‘extra-small’ speculum instead of a ‘virgin’ speculum thanks to their campaign! You can read more about the campaign here.

FAQs

Eve Appeal shared with us some of the most common asked questions their Ask Eve nurses get about cervical screenings. Ask Eve is a free nurse-led, confidential information and advice line for gynae health. If you have a question, get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 0808 802 0019.

Can my GP do my cervical screening early?

No, your cervical screening invitation and reminder letters are sent from a national centre. Cervical screening can only be booked when you have received your letter.

What is a cervical screening test?

The doctor or nurse will take a sample of cells from your cervix. They will do this by inserting a speculum into the vagina and sweeping the cervix with a soft plastic brush to collect the cells. Your sample will then be sent off for testing. They will be looking to see if you have Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), if you do have HPV, your sample will be checked for any changes to the cells which could potentially lead to cervical cancer in the future.

HPV is a common virus passed on through skin-to-skin sexual contact that causes over 99% of all cervical cell changes and cancers. Your changes will be categorised into Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) 1 (low grade), CIN2 (medium grade) or CIN3 (high grade).

I have symptoms of cervical cancer, why can’t I have my cervical screening early?

Screening is a test to help prevent cancer, not to investigate symptoms. If you have any symptoms such as bleeding between periods, during or after sex, or after the menopause, changes to vaginal discharge, unexplained lower back pain or pain during sex, don’t wait for your next cervical screening appointment, make an appointment to see your GP and get the symptoms investigated.

My cervical screening has shown I have cell changes, does this mean I have cancer?

No, cell changes are not cervical cancer. Cell changes are often caused by the HPV virus and many cell changes go back to normal without treatment. Sometimes treatment is needed to make sure cell changes don’t develop into cervical cancer.

I haven’t had sex. Do I need to go for my screening test?

If you have never had sex, it is not a guarantee that you do not have any cervical cell changes. Remember that sexual contact, without full intercourse can still pass on HPV. If you have never had any type of sexual contact then you are at a lower risk of cervical cancer, but as a small number of cervical cancers are not caused by HPV, it is important to still go for your screening test.

 To find more information on cervical screening, as well as tips for making the test more comfortable, visit: eveappeal.org.uk/screening.

Charity Check-in

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article. 

Wellbeing of Women. This is a charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women and babies. They fund research projects focused on women's health issues, such as gynaecological cancers, pregnancy complications, and menopause. Learn more here.

Eve Appeal. This UK-based charity is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for gynaecological cancers. They focus on research, education, and support. Find out more here.

Lady Garden Foundation. This charity aims to raise awareness and funding for gynaecological cancer research and treatment, alo they focus on breaking taboos surrounding gynaecological health. Support them here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.