For women only: It’s time to say the s-word

IINTRODUCED the subject of screening last week. Screening is like a health check for a specific condition. So, I’m going to choose cervical screening as that specific condition this week.

The cervix is the neck of the womb, so clearly this test is for ladies only! Screening starts at age 25 and continues till the age of 65. The test is every three years until a woman is 50 and then it’s every five years after that. So altogether the maximum number of smears you could possibly

have would be about 12.

I don’t think that’s too bad, considering how many times we might go to the dentist or optician in our lifetimes!

If you don’t know what’s involved in having a smear, there’s lots of information out there. I highly recommend Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust which has an excellent website with readable advice.

The reason we want to look for cervical cancer is because it often shows itself late, by which time it has started to spread. Treatment of any advanced cancer is difficult, and the outcomes are inevitably poorer. On the plus side, if we detect cervical cancer early, treatment is quick and very effective. Smears save about 5,000 lives a year.

The thing is, not all women get their tests when they should. Almost 3.7 million women haven’t had a smear in the last five years. That’s one in every four women.

And I understand that there’s all sorts of reasons why women don’t come. You’d rather be having a coffee. But it literally takes five minutes to do. Our practice nurses are great at putting people at ease and they really don’t mind if you haven’t shaved your legs or have odd socks on.

Calling all women over 50: don’t give up then ladies! There’s life after 50 but smear tests in the 50-65 age bracket are at a 17-year all-time low. Maybe ladies think that if periods have stopped, then everything else has gone to sleep? But a third of cervical cancer cases are in the over 50 age group and these ladies tend to be found when the cancer is more advanced.

If it’s been a while, pluck up some courage, pick up the phone and go and surprise your practice nurse. She’ll be delighted to see you!

If it’s been a while, pluck up some courage, pick up the phone and go and surprise your

practice nurse.