Do you fear your smear? Practice Nurse Rachel answers frequently asked questions
Date of release: 26 January 2024
Rachel Lockley has spent four years of her 10-year NHS career as a Practice Nurse, helping detect cervical cancer through the NHS cervical screening programme (also known as a smear test).
Are you worried about attending your cervical screening appointment? Practice Nurse Rachel is here to answer your questions.
On average I carry out around 20 smear tests per week, which is a good uptake for my surgery. I’ve heard a lot of excuses over the last four years, but one thing I know is that nobody regrets their smear. Most of my patients are so thankful they attended.
Here’s reasons why I’ve heard women don’t attend their cervical screening appointments.
Embarrassment
Please do not be embarrassed. As Practice Nurses we are here to make you feel comfortable, don’t forget we have seen it all. You could even book an appointment to speak to us before deciding to go ahead with your screening – I would encourage that if you are worried.
Fear of result
Fear of the unknown is horrible for everyone. But ultimately a smear test isn’t to check for cancer, it’s to help prevent cancer and pick up abnormal cells. If HPV is present, it doesn’t mean you have cancer, we will check the cells to check for any abnormal changes.
Sexually active
For some people, they aren’t sexually active at 25 and feel they don’t need a smear. In fact, this is incorrect. Even if you haven’t had sex, you are still entitled to be screened. There is a lower chance of having HPV, but it could still be present.
Not having time or having no childcare
Cervical screening only takes up a 20-minute appointment and most of that is spent talking, making you feel comfortable. If you have no childcare and need to bring your child with you, you can request for somebody from the surgery to help during your appointment.
Language barriers
Some people won’t attend due to a language barrier. You can request a female face-to-face interpreter for your appointment. The receptionist can request one for you.
The equipment used
People worry about the equipment used during cervical screening, when really, we will make them feel as comfortable as we can by using equipment suited to them. This is what we discuss in the consultation before having the smear.
Please don’t forget we make reasonable adjustments throughout screening appointments too.
So, what does a cervical screening appointment look like?
- Make sure the patient is comfortable, ask them questions and also when their last period is was. We won’t do cervical screening if they are bleeding heavily
- Ask what hormonal contraception they are on or have used in the past
- Check their height, weight and blood pressure
- Talk about how they will receive their results and what it could mean if they have HPV
- The patient will lie on the bed with their legs up and a sheet to cover themselves up
- Ensure the door is locked or pop a sign on the door
- Insert the speculum, find the cervix and take a sample using a soft brush, this will then get sent to the lab for testing
If I could give any advice today, please attend your cervical screening. Cervical cancer survival has increased in the last 50 years in the UK. With thanks to cervical screening, this can be easily detected.
