Smear Tests: Cervical Cancer Screening

Are you panicking about your first cervical screening? Are you feeling unsure what to expect? Are you worrying about what might be?

Don't panic. Don't feel unsure. Don't worry. I had all these feelings and everything went well. A cervical screening is a chance to check if everything is as it should be; it doesn't mean there will be a terrifying answer—and it won't be painful.

What is a smear test/cervical cancer screening?

A screening for cervical cancer is nowhere near as scary as it sounds. It's not quite like a screening at the cinema... but it's equally as pain free.

The screening is to check the health of your cervix, and it also doubles as a check for any potentially cancerous cells. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. This test is purely to test for any imperfections of potentially dangerous cells. It's a little uncomfortable but pain free. Your nurse will help to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Many women even say the hype around a screening is unnecessary because it's a simple and easy procedure.

What happens at the screening?

The nurse takes you through to a regular nurse station in private room. This is just your standard, normal, nothing-special-or-concerning-about-it nurses station. You go behind a curtain, undress from the waist down, and lie on a flat bed. It is most important to just try to relax. Just calm yourself and breathe. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed this experience will be, if you are overly tense the experience could be more difficult, so just remain calm. This is going to be pain free and it's just a measure taken to check your cervical health.

Once you're comfortable on the bed the test will begin. The nurse will insert a speculum into your vagina, slightly open your vaginal walls and take a sample from your cervix with a small, soft brush. This doesn't sound very nice, does it? But millions of women have gone before you, and millions will come after, so remember you are in safe hands.

The speculum is not scary

They will then remove the brush and speculum, and you are all done. When you have finished the test you may have some discomfort but you shouldn't be in any pain. Some slight spotting is common but if you are concerned you can always contact your nurse or doctor by telephone.

It is so important to attend your cervical screening. Don't miss out on what could be potentially life saving and save you from cancerous cells developing. Remember to be positive, be safe, be healthy, and be informed about cervical health and cervical cancer.

Like many women, I was scared, panicked and nervous before my test, in fact, I was fretting about it for weeks on end before my appointment. For months I avoided calling my Doctor's Surgery to make an appointment, and by the time I finally did I'd made myself so anxious I barely slept the night before. But it was fine. Although I unfortunately cannot make a promise to every woman in the world, I can assure you it will be pain free, you will be perfectly safe, and the experience will be nowhere near as embarrassing or scary as you might think.

Call your Doctor or Health Centre today and book your smear test.

For more information about Smear Tests, go here.