Showcase Magazine Winter 2026 - Flipbook - Page 12
HEALTHY
LIFESTYLES
Don’t Be Afraid:
My Experience of Cervical
Screening
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. As part of this awareness month, I
wanted to share my experience of cervical screening and reassure you that it is
nothing be to frightened of! - Lauren
6 months before my 25th birthday, I received my first letter to
book in my cervical screening appointment. For the last few
years, I have suffered with health anxiety, so receiving this
letter caused a huge wave of unease and apprehension for
me. According to the NHS, health anxiety is when you spend
so much time worrying you're ill, or going to get ill, that it starts
to take over your life. It is also related to obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD). This means that any tests or appointments
send my brain spiralling. Luckily, my friends and colleagues
have had regular screening appointments so I was able to ask
them questions and talk to them about their experiences. The
letter also contained lots of useful information and details
about what to expect on the day.
After I got my letter, I downloaded the NHS app to book in my
appointment. Other ways to book in screening appointments
could be to call your GP surgery or use your GP’s online
services. One useful tip is to try and book your appointment
when you are not on your period as this makes it difficult to get
a clear and accurate sample. If you are on your period on the
day of the appointment, contact your GP to reschedule.
The day came around and I nervously made my way to my GP.
I decided to go alone, but you are welcome to take a
chaperone, such as a family member or friend, with you if you
wish. The nurse was very approachable and friendly, and
instantly made me feel at ease. She could sense my
nervousness and talked me through exactly what was going to
happen. She asked a few questions about my last menstrual
period and if I was on any contraception. The nurse also
explained the importance of cervical screening and what it
looks for.
Cervical screening looks for high-risk strains of the human
papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause abnormal cell changes
on the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.
The test does not screen for cervical cancer itself, but for the
early signs that could lead to it, allowing intervention before
cancer develops. After this stage, she locked the door to
ensure privacy and asked me to lay on the bed behind a
curtain and remove clothing from the waist down.
She also gave me a sheet to cover up with during the test in
order to help me feel comfortable. The correct position for the
test is to lie with your knees bent, feet together, and knees
gently apart. If that position doesn’t work for you, you can ask
for another way that feels more comfortable and the nurse will
help you adjust. The nurse will gently insert a speculum (a
small, smooth, tube-shaped instrument) into the vagina so
they can see the cervix. They use a small, soft brush to collect
a sample of cells from the cervix and may use lubrication. This
part usually takes less than a minute. It might feel a little
uncomfortable or strange, but it shouldn’t be painful.
Remember, you can ask the nurse to stop at any time! When it
is done, the speculum is removed, and you can get dressed in
private. The whole appointment usually takes about 10
minutes. You might have a small amount of spotting (light
bleeding) afterwards which is totally normal!
The nurse informed me that it would take approximately two
weeks for my results to come through by post. However, if I
downloaded the NHS app, I would receive the results a lot
quicker! With my health anxiety, waiting for results can be one
of the hardest parts! So knowing I could download the app
and receive my results quicker this way was a big deal for me. I
received my results through a notification on my NHS app 4
days after my test informing me that no HPV was found in my
sample and my risk of cervical cancer was low. There are a few
possible results.
If no HPV is found, your risk of cervical cell changes is very low,
and you’ll be invited for your next screening in three or five
years depending on your age. If HPV is found but your cells are
normal, it usually means the virus is present but hasn’t caused
any changes yet. You may be asked to have another test in 12
months to see if the virus has cleared naturally. If both HPV
and abnormal cells are found, it means some changes are
present. These changes are not cancer, but you may be
referred for a colposcopy, where a specialist examines your
cervix more closely and treatment may be recommended to
remove cells. Occasionally, a sample may be unclear or
insufficient, in which case you will be asked to repeat the test.
Cervical screening is a quick and straightforward test, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer. I wanted to share
my experience, especially for anyone who feels anxious about their health or is attending their first screening. There’s no need to be
afraid. The test is simple, and it really matters that you go. If you receive an invitation, don’t ignore it; taking part could make a big
difference for your health.
｜
Showcase Training 12
