CERVICAL SCREENING
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What to expect from Cervical Screening
Your invitation
When the invitation to attend Cervical screening (smear test) pops through the letterbox you may experience a sense of trepidation or even fear. It's important to note that Cervical screening is a preventative measure.
It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer.
All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter.
Billie's story
Billie Smallman - Learning and Development Team (NEXT)
In 2015, I was 24 years old and I received my first cervical screening letter from the doctor in January 2015. As soon as I got the letter, I booked my cervical screening in with the nurse at my doctors surgery and had my first smear test a couple of days later.
Around 4-5 days after I had the test, I received a letter from the hospital stating that I had 'Severe High Grade Dyskaryosis' pre-cancerous cells. As you can imagine when you receive a letter like that, your mind goes into overdrive and you start panicking thinking you have cancer. It stated on the letter that I needed to see the gynaecologist at the Leicester General Hospital a few days after receiving the letter. I went along with my mum and this is when she told us that I have Stage 3 CIN precancerous cells and if left untreated I will get Cervical Cancer within the next 6 months and would need a hysterectomy.
I had to have laser ablation to burn away all of the precancerous cells. Once the treatment was finished the gynecologist confirmed that they had to remove 3/4's of my cervix.
They went through all of the possible outcomes that could happen following the treatment:
- if the cells returned I would have to have a hysterectomy
- It might be difficult to get pregnant but if I was to become pregnant I would need to have a cervical stitch, also known as a cervical cerclage. It is a surgical procedure that involves inserting a stitch around the cervix to keep it closed during pregnancy
- Regular cervical screening
Following the treatment, I had to have cervical screening every 3 months within the first year and then every 6 months within 3 years and now I have them yearly. And the good news is, I went on to have 3 beautiful children - but I did have to have the Cervical stitch to make sure I didn't go into labour and for them to not arrive prematurely.
So please please make sure that when you receive your cervical screening letter do not think twice about booking. I understand that it can be uncomfortable or a little embarrassing because of the procedure, but that short test that takes less than a minute could save your life! I believe it saved mine!
Support & Research
From period problems and starting a family, to menopause and gynaecological cancers, Wellbeing of Women have a wealth of information to share on women’s gynaecological and reproductive health.
Cervical screening is a vital health check that helps prevent cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells early. Here's everything you need to know about the test and why it’s crucial to your health.
Click here for Wellbeing of Women's guide to cervical screening.
Cancer Research UK was formed more than 20 years ago, in 2002. However, our history goes back much further, to 1902, with the founding of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Thanks to supporters ... our pioneering work into how to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer has benefitted millions of lives over the past 120 years.
Combatting Cervical Cancer
Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Evidence continues to show us that cervical cancer is highly preventable through HPV vaccination, and screening and treatment. Click here to find out how Cancer Research are combatting cervical cancer
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