Many women put off their cervical screening as they fear it will hurt, they're embarrassed, or they feel they simply don't have the time to go. And while everyone's experience of screening is different, it's important that you attend, because regular screening - which only takes a few minutes - can help stop cervical cancer before it starts. The test checks the health of your cervix to identify any potentially harmful cells which can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cancer.
However, we know that having a cervical screening can be uncomfortable or difficult for some women and the reasons for this can be personal and very varied. We spoke to five women who have had very different screening experiences in a bid to provide you with some tips and support should you feel worried or anxious about your own.
Aimee Jakes, 25, told Grazia: 'I felt quite anxious before my first cervical screening recently, because it is a very personal experience and I'm quite conscious of my body. But my friend really helped calm my nerves beforehand by giving me a few tips. Firstly, she told me to wear a skirt to my screening, so I could partly cover myself and feel less exposed when the test was being carried out. I know the nurses have seen it all before, but I found that wearing a skirt really helped as I didn't have to get undressed during my screening, and I just felt more in control.
'Secondly, she told me to book my test in with a nurse at my GP's surgery who I already knew, so that the experience would be less daunting. It really did help. My nurse is lovely and she made me feel more relaxed. '
Andrea Anastasiou, 36, has had a few screenings in the past, but revealed that she gets nervous before attending medical appointments. However, a friend encouraged her to attend, and even offered to go with her to the test. 'I realised that I should really just go and get it over with,' Andrea said. 'When I got in the room, the nurse picked up that I was a little on edge, and so she treated me with extra care. She was really accommodating and told me most women were nervous beforehand, which made me feel better knowing I wasn't alone.
'The nurse made the experience as comfortable and quick as possible. I got changed behind a curtain and then laid on the bed. The whole thing was over in a few minutes, and in hindsight, it was so worth doing, considering it could help save your life.'
Speaking to Grazia about her experience, Rhiannon Cox, 45, said: 'I got an early appointment so that I could then go to work and not have to go in the middle of the day. The nurse made me feel at ease and started by asking when my last period was and explained the procedure to me in full. I then removed my clothes from the waist down and positioned myself on the bed. I get very nervous and worry about tensing up, so I chatted to the nurse whilst she carried out the procedure. By constantly talking to her, it took my mind off what was happening, and although I was aware that the test was taking place, it only felt mildly uncomfortable and not at all painful.
'It was over before I had even finished telling the nurse my story. I felt as comfortable as I could have been, given that it is quite a personal experience. The nurse was very kind and did her best to create a relaxed environment,' Rhiannon added.
27-year-old Angie Bagot admitted to Grazia that she was a little nervous before her screening: 'I knew that it was going to be a bit awkward, but I was prepared to deal with it considering the screening could save my life. When I walked into the room, the nurse introduced herself and talked me through what was going to happen and why it was important for me to have the screening. She told me that it shouldn’t be painful, and that if it was at any moment, I should let her know so she could make me more comfortable.'
'Even though I've had one screening before and so am aware of the process, I still really appreciated her clearly explaining everything to me again. I'm really glad to have the opportunity to have regular screenings as they're really not as bad as I initially thought!'
Sian Rodney, 25, told us, 'In the run up to my first ever cervical screening I felt incredibly nervous as I didn't know what to expect, but I was met by the loveliest nurse ever who put me at ease. She explained what would happen during my appointment and asked me to let her know when I was ready for her to start. Before she inserted the speculum, I popped my headphones on to listen to some music to take my mind off what the nurse was doing. She also advised me that I could ask her to stop at any point if I felt uncomfortable, but to my surprise, it wasn’t and it was all over so quickly. Despite my preconceptions of what cervical screening would be like, my experience was genuinely fine. It’s a few minutes that could save your life, so I feel really good knowing that I'm prioritising my health and body by having it done.'
Nurses are trained in how to make the experience of cervical screening easier and more comfortable, so it's important that you tell them.
Grazia recognises that cervical screening can be especially difficult for women who have experienced sexual violence. Working with your nurse is important to ensure that they understand your needs and can make you feel as comfortable as possible. Remember, you're in charge of your screening and can ask to stop whenever you want to.
Cervical Screening Saves Lives. Don’t ignore your cervical screening invite and encourage the people that you love to make an appointment with their GP if they are overdue a test. Search ‘NHS cervical screening' or click here for more information. #CervicalScreeningSavesLives