Aroundtown Magazine Winter 2022 edition

HEALTH & BEAUTY
Time to talk about
cervical screening
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week: 17-23rd January 2022
This year, Jo’s Cervical Cancer
Trust, the UK’s leading cervical
cancer charity, is encouraging
everyone to get involved in
Cervical Cancer Prevention
Week by sharing tips, facts
and stories about cervical
screening.
Cervical screening, or smear tests, can save
lives by stopping cervical cancer before it starts.
However, cervical cancer prevention doesn’t
stop at screening. They also want to raise
awareness about the different results that can
come from cervical screening.
‘‘ There are over 200
types of HPV – most are
low-risk and cause no
problems, but around
13 are high-risk and are
linked to cancer.’’
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. The
free health test checks for HPV, or the human
papillomavirus. You might see it on your results
letter. It’s an extremely common virus, but how
much do you know about it?
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common
virus that lives on the skin and can affect the
cervix. There are over 200 types of HPV – most
are low-risk and cause no problems, but around
13 are high-risk and are linked to cancer.
HPV is usually passed on through sexual
contact, which can make some people feel
worried or embarrassed. But it is nothing to be
ashamed of. Because HPV lives on our skin, it
is easy to get and difficult to completely protect
against. At some point during our lives, eight in
ten people will get HPV.
What if I get HPV?
In most cases, your immune system will get
rid of HPV without it causing any problems. If
your cervical screening shows that you have
HPV, you’ll be invited back more regularly (after
a year) to keep a closer eye on you. If high risk
HPV is detected, the sample is then checked for
abnormal cells.
There is no treatment for HPV itself, but there
are treatments for conditions caused by HPV,
including genital warts, cervical cell changes
and cancer. Persistent HPV infection is what
causes the cells in the cervix to change. Over
time, these abnormal cells may develop into
cervical cancer if not monitored or treated.
Reducing your risk of HPV
You can’t completely protect against HPV.
But there are ways you can reduce your risk of
getting HPV or developing a persistent infection
that your immune system can’t get rid of.
Stopping smoking, getting the HPV vaccine
if you are eligible, and having safer sex (using
condoms or dental dams) all help to reduce
your risk.
Extended screening
appointments in
Rotherham
Going for cervical screening when
invited is the best way to find cell
changes early, so they can be monitored
or treated as needed. In Rotherham, extra
appointments have been made available
to help people who struggle to attend
their GP practice during the week due to
work or childcare commitments.
Extra appointments (Extended Access)
are available for all Rotherham patients
and can be booked through your own
GP receptionist or care navigator.
Appointments are available weekday
evenings 6.30pm-8.30pm and in the
daytime at weekends.
Depending on the day of the
appointment offered, it will be at one of
the following four hubs in the Rotherham
area: Dinnington Group Practice; Broom
Lane Surgery; Valley Health Centre,
Dalton; Highthorn Road Surgery,
Kilnhurst.
Tips for your
cervical screening test
• If you feel uncomfortable in waiting rooms, you
may want to ask to book the first appointment of
the day. This can mean it is quieter and there is
less time for you to wait.
• You are within your rights to ask for a nurse or
doctor of a particular gender. If you have a nurse
or doctor you trust, you may want to check with
your GP surgery if they are able to do it.
• Wear something comfy and easy to get
on and off. Some people feel more covered
wearing a skirt or dress as they only need to
remove their underwear. Ask if you can bring
a spare shawl or blanket to cover yourself if
it makes you feel more at ease. You might
experience spotting after your cervical screening
so you may want to wear a fuller brief with a liner
or sanitary pad.
• Speculums come in different sizes. If you
find the standard size too uncomfortable, you
can ask to try another size. Lying in a different
position, such as on your side with your knees
bent, may also make the test more comfortable.
• If you have gone through or are going through
the menopause, let your doctor or nurse know.
After menopause, the opening of the vagina
and vaginal walls become less able to stretch,
which can make the test more uncomfortable.
A vaginal oestrogen cream or pessary may help.
• Ask questions. Speak to your friends, nurses,
or colleagues for reassurance, especially before
your first cervical screening or if you have
previously experienced anything that makes the
test hard for you.
Join the conversation
#CervicalCancerPreventionWeek
www.jostrust.org.uk/CCPW
Their free national helpline is
0808 802 8000
Be Cancer SAFE is part of the Health
Engagement Project, commissioned by
the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning
Group and based at Voluntary Action
Rotherham. You can follow their social
media accounts: Facebook
@BeCancerSafeRB or
Twitter @BeCancerSafe_RB
14 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk