A woman in Liverpool has described her recent NHS cervical screening appointment as surprisingly quick, taking just ten minutes from arrival to leaving the GP surgery. The 35-year-old, who had not had a test for some years due to the screening interval being extended from three to five years, said the experience was far faster than she expected.
According to Cancer Research UK, there are 3,299 new cases of cervical cancer each year in the UK, and 880 deaths between 2022 and 2024. However, 99.8% of cervical cancer cases are preventable. The appointment, conducted by senior nurse practitioner Tracy, included a full explanation of the process, a weight and blood pressure check, and the test itself behind a blue curtain.
The nurse pre-emptively reassured the woman about possible abnormal results, noting that cell changes can be caused by stress, not necessarily cancer. Tracy described cervical cancer as a 'vicious disease if not caught early' but stressed it can be prevented. The actual smear took only a few seconds, with the nurse stopping as soon as the woman said she wanted to 'get it over with'.
Helen Hyndman MBE, lead nurse at The Eve Appeal, said: 'Cervical screening tests are estimated to save 5,000 lives a year in the UK by helping prevent cervical cancer. High-risk HPV causes nearly all cervical cancers. If high-risk HPV is present, then the sample will be checked for cervical cell changes. These changes can be monitored or treated to prevent cancer from developing.'
Hyndman advised that while cervical screening isn't always easy, it is a vital preventive measure. The woman urged others not to put off their appointments, saying that while it may be nerve-wracking, those ten minutes could save a life.
