Smear tests aren’t easy for everyone, but they can save lives.
The number of people going for smear tests is lower than ever, yet they prevent 75% of cervical cancers! So while they may not be pleasant, they are important.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 35, and 75% of cervical cancers are prevented by cervical screening (smear tests).
Cervical Screening Awareness Week runs from June 14 to 21 and it encourages women to reduce their risk of the disease by promoting the steps they can take to look after their health.
Corene Veitch, Nurse Colposcopist and Lead Nurse Colposcopy at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has some advice.
How can you reduce your risk of cervical cancer?
- Attending cervical screening when invited.
- Knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer and seeking medical advice if experiencing any.
- Encouraging taking up the HPV vaccination for people aged 11-18.
- Stop smoking.
Who can have a Smear Test?
You are automatically invited for cervical screening if you are:
- between the ages of 25 to 64
- registered as female with a GP surgery.
You are invited:
- every 3 years between age 25 and 49
- every 5 years between age 50 and 64.
You may get your first invite up to 6 months before you turn 25. You can book an appointment as soon as you get the invite.
It is very rare to develop cervical cancer if you are under the age of 25 or over the age of 64, if you have had regular cervical screening.
Making screening more inclusive
Health professionals should:
- understand and acknowledge that not everyone attending cervical screening will be a woman
- expect trans and non-binary people to access services and treat them like any other patient and not as unusual or unexpected
- look for ways to make the patient feel comfortable or access the service in a different way
To be inclusive of trans and non-binary people, NHS screening staff need to be aware that while most patients accessing cervical screening will be women, that is no reason to ignore those who are not.
If you are a trans man aged 25 to 64 who has registered with a GP as male, you won’t be invited for cervical screening. Trans people can ask to change their gender on the NHS systems, but it’s really important they have a conversation with their GP to ensure cervical screening continues to be offered by the practice
If preferred, screening can take place in one of our cervical screening (smear) clinics and we accept referrals from GP and will accept self-referral for these cervical screening tests.
Symptoms that can be associated with Cervical Cancer
- Lower back pain
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding: during or after sex or unprovoked bleeding at any time in the month
- Post menopausal bleeding
- Unusual discharge
Cervical cancer can present with a wide range of symptoms but these are not always obvious. Symptoms may include the points above or more non-specific symptoms may also occur such as constipation or urinary symptoms. If you have experienced any of these symptoms you should contact your GP.
Of course, cervical cancer may present with no symptoms at all, until the disease has progressed. This highlights the importance of regular cervical cancer screening tests.
More information about cervical cancer can be found here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-screening-awareness-week