Cervical Screening
Cervical Screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25-64. It is usually a quick test which can detect the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is not a test for cancer – but it does help to prevent cancer.
Before the test, the nurse will tell you what they are going to do and give you the opportunity to ask any questions. They will then ask you to remove your trouser/skirt and underwear. If you are wearing a dress you can leave this on. Once you have undressed, you will be asked to lay on the couch. A small piece of paper should be offered for you to have over your lap and to cover yourself over. When you are ready, the nurse will then tell you how they need to you lay on the couch. They will then insert a speculum into your vagina to allow them to see your cervix. Sometimes your cervix can be tricky to find and while this is usually a quick test, it can take a bit longer for the nurse to find your cervix and this can be completely normal!
The test can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, painful. We will do what we can to make you as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure. If it is too painful and you would like the nurse to stop, you can ask them to stop at any time. Even if it is not painful but you want the procedure to end, then you can say at any point and the nurse will stop. It’s important to remember that it is your body and you are in control. Once the test is done, the nurse will tell you that you can get dressed. They will provide you with a sanitary towel, if you would like one. Sometimes spotting can occur following cervical screening – this is normal.
Results
You will receive your results through the post and they will send you a letter no matter what your results are.
If your results are normal, you will be invited back for routine cervical screening in 3 years if you are aged between 25 and 49 and 5 years if you are aged between 50 and 64 years. If your results come back HPV positive with no cell changes, you will be invited back in 12 months’ time for a repeat cervical screening. This is to check whether or not your immune system has got rid of the HPV on its own. HPV can and does go away by itself usually within 1 to 2 years.
If your results come back HPV positive and there are cervical cell changes, then you will be referred to a part of the gynaecology department called colposcopy. You will normally be seen here with a few months. At colposcopy, a specialist nurse or doctor will examine your cervix in greater detail and if necessary, they can do extra tests or treatment.
Extra Support
If you require any extra support then The Very Important Invitation Project are here for you. We have a wealth of information, tips and advice on our social media pages. Our nurses are also on hand to offer 1:1 support to those who need it. This can be text messaging, phone calls or a visit (at your home or somewhere you feel comfortable) where we can show you the equipment used for cervical screening and to answer any questions or talk to you about the procedure and what to expect. We can even attend your appointment with you if that is what you would like – we really will support you as much or as little as you would like. We will support anyone with a cervix to access cervical screening.
We are available Monday – Friday via email, social media and telephone details of which can be found via our linktree page.