>>Liz Mearns: Hello I’m Liz Mearns the Medical Director (NHSE South) and I used to be a general
practitioner in the south of England. I want to talk today about the cervical screening
test. This used to be known as the smear test. We’ve stopped calling it a smear test because
the technical details of the sampling has changed so we try and use the expression cervical
screening. We need to encourage women over the age of 25 to have the test on a regular
basis.
>>Tracy Wheeler: I would say preventative care
>>Kayleigh Moore: Awkward
>>Ayla Iskender: The unknown and potentially painful
>>Sarah Grintzevitch: Quick and relatively simple
>>Gail Thomas: For me, thinking about a smear test is a really good and positive experience
and something I am really grateful for
>>Liz Mearns: Medical Director (NHSE South): We know that populations with high uptake
of cervical screening tests have much lower incidents of advanced cervical cancer and
also deaths from cervical cancer. What the test does is pick up early changes in the
cells which over a period of some years could lead to an invasive cancer. These changes
occur usually as a result of exposure to a particular virus called Human Papillomavirus
>>Emily Grainger: I was really anxious on the lead up to my smear test and before I
was 25 I did even look into having the test sooner because I was so anxious and wanted
it done but when I went there the nurse was really nice, it was over really quickly and
it wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as I thought it was going to be.
>>Sarah Grintzevitch: I can’t really remember it must have been quite simple and straight
forward if I can’t remember.
>>Gail Thomas: It was quick, it was pain free, a little bit uncomfortable afterwards but
the reassurance it gave and also the check-ups afterwards so they took me back in after 6
months and 12 months for a basic check and everything has been fine ever since so I am
really grateful I had my test, they spotted something that could potentially have been
a real problem but with a little bit of treatment my life carries on as normal
>>Kayleigh Moore: It was fine actually, it was really easy, the nurse was lovely and
it wasn’t half as bad as I thought it was going to be.
>>Gabrielle Edwards: To make sure they are safe and free of anything that could be of
any danger to them in terms of cancer or abnormal cells.
>>Ayla Iskender: Because it can potentially save your life. It’s free and it takes 10
minutes, why not?
>>Tracy Wheeler: It is really important because it can be detected early if there are any
abnormal cells
>>Kay Bartlett: Because early detection is good. If they find out they can do something
about it if they don’t know they cant
>>Gail Thomas: In the country today this is a great opportunity and it’s a free service.
Other countries don’t have this service and if they do you have to pay for it. We
shouldn’t dismiss it just because a letter arrives in the post. It is potentially 10
minutes of inconvenience. If you haven’t had one before ok it is a little bit embarrassing
but they are usually female doctors – you can ask for female nurses and doctors – so
for that 10 minutes of inconvenience the rest of your life just carries on with so it’s
great.
>>Liz Mearns: Medical Director (NHSE South): We would encourage you to put up with the
few minutes embarrassment every 3-5 years depending on your age because it really will
have an effect on reducing your risk of getting cancer.
>>Ayla Iskender: Don’t wait. Talk to your Doctor. It’s quick and easy and it can save
your life or a loved one’s life.