It was the day before my 28th birthday that I got the results of my second smear test. I’d just arrived home after a holiday in Mexico and collected my post without much thought from the kitchen table. Safely tucked in bed (I was severely jetlagged) I read the words that I truly wasn’t expecting to see: ‘Your smear results came back abnormal’.
I stared at the letter blankly for a while, before almost immediately bursting into tears. I had an appointment letter from the gynaecology ward of the hospital, and another from my GP saying that while my results did mean I needed further tests, that it was in fact VERY normal, VERY common and NOTHING to worry about. There was a note to say that if I was concerned at all, I could call them to chat it through, so I did. I have to say I was very reassured by what the doctor said to me on the phone – although still paralysed with fear (I’m very much a glass half-full kind of person).
Nine months and two colposcopies later (a colposcopy is a ‘closer look’ at what’s going on with your cervix, which can sometimes involve biopsies being taken and treatment offered to remove abnormal cells) I was given the all clear – my smear was normal again, and I don’t need to go back for a year. If that’s all fine, I’ll go back to every three years. I felt very lucky – and very appreciative that despite the stress and the worry, that this had all been available to me.
Because during this extremely anxious time, I spent a lot of time consulting Dr Google and one thing that became abundantly clear was how lucky we are in the UK to have the NHS funding these preventative examinations and treatments. Women elsewhere in the world aren’t so lucky – in many countries, you have to pay for check-ups as well as treatments, meaning some were making the heart-breaking decisions to not do anything at all. As anyone who has done their research will know, catching these things in the early stages is key to preventing cancer – with cervical cancer being one of the only preventable cancers.
As someone that grew up in the era of the ‘Jade Goody’ effect – the reality star’s shocking death at age 27 saw a spike in young women going for smears - I’d always been extremely quick on the uptake when I got my letters telling me it was time to book in for a check-up (in fact, I was actually so conscientious about going for my first smear, that I ended up having it before I turned 25). For this reason, figures released by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust for Cervical Cancer Awareness Week saying that 51 percent of 25-29 year olds have delayed or missed their smears, and 1 in 10 have never had one, shocks me.
According to the charity, smear tests prevent 75 percent cervical cancers from developing, with 5000 lives saved every year. It’s not surprising that the UK has one of the world’s lowest cervical cancer rates – it is the seventeenth most common cancer here, while across the world it is the third.
So, what’s stopping people? It’s a combination of embarrassment and fear, according to the survey, but honestly, what’s more important – being uncomfortable for a few minutes, or having cancer? To help bust the myths surrounding smears, we’ve outlined what to expect below.
What Is A Smear Test?
A cervical screening is simply the process of taking a sample of cells from your cervix for examination. Using a microscope, any changes or abnormalities in the cells that might develop into cancer in the future can be detected.
What Happens During A Smear Test?
Most appointments are for 20 minutes, although the procedure itself only lasts for 3 minutes. In the UK, it is usually carried out by a nurse, but sometimes your GP will do it - you can always ask to see a female practitioner if that makes you feel more comfortable and you are allowed to bring a friend or relative if you are nervous. After the procedure is explained, you'll be asked to remove you clothes from the waist down and sit on the bed - sometimes you will need to put your feet in stirrups. Then the nurse will take the sample using a speculum - a device that will gently hold your vagina open. You might experience some discomfort, but it rarely hurts.
Why Is A Smear Important?
Identifying abnormal cells can prevent cervical cancer from developing, as any cause for concern can be removed and monitored through further treatment.
Who Needs One?
In the UK, women from the age of 25 are invited to have a smear test by a letter sent out by their doctors. Additionally, if you are experiencing bleeding between periods, pain and discomfort during sex or unusual vaginal discharge, you can also ask your GP for a smear.
What Happens If You Have Abnormal Results?
A small number of women will be told that they have an 'abnormal smear'. It is a mistake to think that these results mean that you have cancer - they don't. What it does mean is that a percentage of your cells have come back with unusual changes, so it is important to have a closer look and to monitor the situation to prevent the possibility of cancer developing. You'll be invited to attend a colposcopy appointment at your local hospital, where a further examination will be undertaken and any treatment recommended.
For more information about smear tests and cervical cancer, visit Jo's Trust. Cervical Cancer Awareness Week is from 22-28 January.