Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. As part of this awareness month, I wanted to share my experience of cervical screening and reassure you that it is nothing be to frightened of!
The Invitation
6 months before my 25th birthday, I received my first letter to book in my cervical screening appointment. For the last few years, I have suffered with health anxiety, so receiving this letter caused a huge wave of unease and apprehension for me. According to the NHS, health anxiety is when you spend so much time worrying you’re ill, or going to get ill, that it starts to take over your life. It is also related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This means that any tests or appointments send my brain spiralling. Luckily, my friends and colleagues have had regular screening appointments so I was able to ask them questions and talk to them about their experiences. The letter also contained lots of useful information and details about what to expect on the day.
After I got my letter, I downloaded the NHS app to book in my appointment. Other ways to book in screening appointments could be to call your GP surgery or use your GP’s online services. One useful tip is to try and book your appointment when you are not on your period as this makes it difficult to get a clear and accurate sample. If you are on your period on the day of the appointment, contact your GP to reschedule.
The Appointment
The day came around and I nervously made my way to my GP. I decided to go alone, but you are welcome to take a chaperone, such as a family member or friend, with you if you wish. The nurse was very approachable and friendly, and instantly made me feel at ease. She could sense my nervousness and talked me through exactly what was going to happen. She asked a few questions about my last menstrual period and if I was on any contraception. The nurse also explained the importance of cervical screening and what it looks for.
Cervical screening looks for high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause abnormal cell changes on the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer if left untreated. The test does not screen for cervical cancer itself, but for the early signs that could lead to it, allowing intervention before cancer develops. After this stage, she locked the door to ensure privacy and asked me to lay on the bed behind a curtain and remove clothing from the waist down.
She also gave me a sheet to cover up with during the test in order to help me feel comfortable. The correct position for the test is to lie with your knees bent, feet together, and knees gently apart. If that position doesn’t work for you, you can ask for another way that feels more comfortable and the nurse will help you adjust. The nurse will gently insert a speculum (a small, smooth, tube-shaped instrument) into the vagina so they can see the cervix. They use a small, soft brush to collect a sample of cells from the cervix and may use lubrication. This part usually takes less than a minute. It might feel a little uncomfortable or strange, but it shouldn’t be painful. Remember, you can ask the nurse to stop at any time! When it is done, the speculum is removed, and you can get dressed in private. The whole appointment usually takes about 10 minutes. You might have a small amount of spotting (light bleeding) afterwards which is totally normal!
The nurse informed me that it would take approximately two weeks for my results to come through by post. However, if I downloaded the NHS app, I would receive the results a lot quicker! With my health anxiety, waiting for results can be one of the hardest parts! So knowing I could download the app and receive my results quicker this way was a big deal for me. I received my results through a notification on my NHS app 4 days after my test informing me that no HPV was found in my sample and my risk of cervical cancer was low. There are a few possible results.
If no HPV is found, your risk of cervical cell changes is very low, and you’ll be invited for your next screening in three or five years depending on your age. If HPV is found but your cells are normal, it usually means the virus is present but hasn’t caused any changes yet. You may be asked to have another test in 12 months to see if the virus has cleared naturally. If both HPV and abnormal cells are found, it means some changes are present. These changes are not cancer, but you may be referred for a colposcopy, where a specialist examines your cervix more closely and treatment may be recommended to remove cells. Occasionally, a sample may be unclear or insufficient, in which case you will be asked to repeat the test.
Don’t Ignore Your Invitation!
Cervical screening is a quick and straightforward test, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer. I wanted to share my experience, especially for anyone who feels anxious about their health or is attending their first screening. There’s no need to be afraid. The test is simple, and it really matters that you go. If you receive an invitation, don’t ignore it; taking part could make a big difference for your health.
Useful Links
NHS: nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/
Macmillan Cancer Support: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/cervical-cancer-awareness
Personal Development Blogs: showcasetraining.co.uk/personal-development/