Reduce the Risk

Women in North Lincolnshire are being urged to encourage their friends to take control of their health and go for cervical screening when invited.

Most women in this area attend their appointments for this potentially life-saving examination but a minority still ignore the letter from their doctor or don’t get around to booking their appointment.

Screening can detect small changes in the cells of the cervix (often before there are any symptoms) early enough to prevent cervical cancer or treat the condition more easily and effectively.

“No-one really relishes the thought of medical tests but most women here are keen to take control of their own health and attend these routine appointments with their practice nurse,” says Marie Hancock, Cancer Project Manager at NHS North Lincolnshire. “However, some women are still nervous and feel a bit embarrassed about cervical screening or “the smear” so a bit of encouragement and reassurance from a friend could make all the difference in the world to them!”

What is cervical screening?

·         Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 - 64. Women 25-49 are invited every 3 years and women aged 50-64 every 5 years.

·         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 (often called the neck of the womb).

·         For many women the test results show that everything is fine.

·         But for one in 20 women, the test shows changes in cells that can be caused by many things.

·         Most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer, if the changes are detected early and treated.

NHS North Lincolnshire has two Cancer Health Trainers Sarah Ross and Emma Thompson who are available to offer confidential advice and support about all aspects of cancer screening and they can even accompany you to appointments if this would help you to attend. Sarah and Emma can be contacted by calling 01724 292170.

To support Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, the health trainers have put together a presentation about screening and the symptoms of cervical cancer that is currently being shown in the Ironstone Centre, Scunthorpe.

Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer to look out for include: bleeding between periods, during or after sex or after you have been though the menopause, any unpleasant vaginal discharge or discomfort or pain during sex. These symptoms are not always due to cervical cancer, but anyone experiencing them should visit their GP even if they have already had a smear.

For detailed information about Cervical Cancer please visit the website of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust at www.jostrust.org.uk or call their helpline on 0808 802 8000.