09:15, 18 June 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
You’ve probably had the letters, or at least heard tell through your doctors. Smear tests after 25 - make sure to book in your cervical screening!
And then there’s the other side of it; the things you hear from friends and relatives. The horror stories about speculum sizes and ‘pushing through the pain’ and rude doctors and all the rest of it.
These are the untruths, and the misunderstandings which gynae cancer charity Eve Appeal is fighting against.
The mission of Eve Appeal is to prevent gynae cancers - of which there are five, including cervical - from developing in the first place. If cancer has already developed, Eve Appeal wants to make it so that more people survive their diagnosis, the likelihood of which increases with early discovery and intervention.
Unfortunately, as with many things regarding what goes on below the belt, we Brits can be cagey. Many people don’t like to think about the problems which might be occurring, primarily because it involves having a relative stranger, quite literally, up in your business.
That’s one of the reasons Eve Appeal is running Cervical Screening Awareness Week from 15th - 21st June, to rid people of misconceptions, replace them with information - because knowledge is power.
We’ve collated here some of Eve Appeal’s most frequently answered questions, as well as some tips and tricks, to make your cervical screening as smooth and comfortable as possible.
They are the same thing - what once used to be called a smear test because of the way cells were smeared onto a glass slide for examination is now referred to as a cervical screening.
A cervical screening is a medical examination where a sample of cells are swabbed from your cervix. These cells are then sent away to be tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV). If HPV is present, then the sample will be checked for cervical cell changes.
The Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common virus which is passed through sexual skin-to-skin contact. If you contract HPV, in most cases, the body will deal with the virus within two years. The problem occurs with certain strains of HPV, if they are not dealt with by our immune system, and stick around for longer than two years. It is here that the virus can cause different types of cancer, including cervical.
Yes. HPV is hard to fully protect against, and, according to Eve Appeal, 8 in 10 of us will come into contact with some kind of HPV in our lifetime. While the HPV vaccine helps, it does not guarantee you 100% protection from HPV; however, there are other ways of reducing your risk, including practising safe sex and getting regular cervical screenings.
Yes - if you are someone with a cervix, you should get a cervical screening, no matter your gender identity. Eve Appeal has specific advice on their website for trans-men and non-binary people, as well as tips for the appointment.
Yes. HPV can be passed through any kind of sexual skin-to-skin contact, or sharing sex toys, and does not require penetrative sex.
Yes. If you have a cervix, it is recommended to get a regular cervical screening. If you haven’t had any kind of sexual contact you are at a lower risk, but are not immune.
“During cervical screening, a healthcare professional will collect a sample of cells from the cervix. They will insert a lubricated speculum into the vagina.” explains the Eve Appeal website. “This will open up the vaginal walls. They then take a sample of cells by sweeping the cervix with a soft plastic brush. The sample will be sent off to a laboratory for testing.”
For those who have specific circumstances such as trauma or medical conditions which you worry might make your screening more difficult, you should get in contact with your GP surgery.
However, if this is difficult to do or you feel uncomfortable, Eve Appeal has two Eve Nurses on hand who are available over the phone, an online form, or email, and will ensure to get back to you within 48 hours.
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.
The Eve Appeal. This is a UK-based charity that provides information and plays a vital role in driving forward research into gynae cancers. Learn more here.
National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC). A US organisation focused on the treatment and prevention of HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer. Discover their work here.
Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF). This nonprofit is heavily dedicated to creating greater awareness of cervical cancer. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
