Go and get one! (NHS Cervical Screening Programme)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	NHS Cervical Screening Programme
Date:	18/02/09 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can detect early cancerous cells.

Disadvantages: Can be a little embarressing

A cervical smear is something that is usually done by your doctor and the process involves taking a swab from the walls of your cervix to check if there are any signs of pre-cancerous cells.

Most woman are requested to come for there first smear test at aged twenty five years old and my doctor said they are called every three years after that. When you get to aged 50yrs it becomes every 5yrs. I think the age should definitely come down now because most girls are sexually active from a very young age these days and by the time they are twenty five the cancer may have grown and got worse if they have it. I think the age should be around 16-18yrs old.

I've had letter after letter from my doctor requesting that I book a cervical screening (or smear test) but I was rather worried about going and put it off time and time again. I made up excuses not to go and didn't make it a priority even though my father-in- laws mother actually died of cervical cancer. When she was on her death bed she made my mum in law promise to have regular smears. My mum-in-law has been constantly pestering me to go but I didn't see the urgency and I was nervous. You'd think I'd be used to 'revealing all' after having two babies!

If you check the news regularly then you will have seen that Jade Goody who is only twenty seven years old has been battling cervical cancer after ignoring letters that there were abnormalities in her last smear test. I am only twenty seven and it really gave me a kick up the backside to actually ring the doctors and book a test. I have a hubby and two boys so it was irresponsible of me to keep putting it off. There has been a rise of 20% since Jade has been in the news.

I walked into the surgery and my tummy was fluttering a little and when my name was called I made 'Small talk' with the doctor. I requested a female and she was very nice. She filled in a form and then asked me to take all of of bottom half off and lie on the bed. She then put something inside that would open up my cervix. It was cold but was definitely not painful at all. After taking a swab from the walls of my cervix and transferring it into a pot, it was all over.

I was surprised at how quick, pain free and easy it was. She said a few times 'This may feel a little uncomfortable' but I didn't think I any point that it was. She said that I will receive a letter within the next six weeks to let me know how it went and off I went.

If you have never been for a 'Smear' then 'Go'. They are really not bad at all and they could save your life.

Summary: It could save your life.