CERVICAL SCREENING
Cervical screening is not a test for diagnosing cervical cancer. It is a test to check the health of the cervix, which is the lower part of the womb. The programme saves 5000 lives per year in the UK, however still approximately 1000 women die each year from cervical cancer.
Why is cervical screening needed?
Cervical cancer can be prevented. The signs that may develop can be detected early so that it can be stopped before it gets started.
The test is offered to all women aged between 25 – 64 years of age. After your first cervical screen you will receive invitations every 3 – 5 years (depending upon age) which will be sent from the NHS screening programme. If the invitation is not taken up for any reason, the surgery is informed and will then send out further invites, so please speak to a GP or Practice Nurse if you;
- Have had a hysterectomy
- Are over 65 years
- Have never had sex or whether you’re not sure a smear is needed
On receiving the invitation you should arrange a 20 minute appointment with the Practice Nurse 10 – 20 days from the start of your period.
What to expect at your appointment:
- The nurse will ask a few questions (i.e. last period date, any contraception taken and any problems experienced etc).
- The Nurse will prepare the necessary equipment needed for the procedure
- You will be asked to prepare yourself for the smear, a chaperone will also be offered
- The nurse will then take the sample of cells and place them on a slide which is then sent to the laboratory to be examined under a microscope.
- You will then be asked to “get dressed”
The result and any further instructions will be sent to you via the post. The length of time it will take for you to receive the result may vary depending upon the laboratory reporting system.
All nurses performing smears have undergone additional cervical screening training.
Appointments for smear checks are held at both Arbroath House and William Brown Centre
|
