Cervical Cancer: What is it and Why is it Important to Test?

What is Cervical Cancer?

Only 51% of sufferers survive cervical cancer for 10 or more years (Cancer Research UK), yet 99.8% of cases in the UK in 2015 were deemed preventable. This highlights the importance of medical professionals taking feminine issues much more seriously, and not mistreating them, as can often be the case. 

Cancer of the cervix mostly affects women under the age of 45, and nearly all cervical cancers are caused by infections from certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus). This can be prevented by attending cervical screenings, which aim to find cell changes before they have the opportunity to develop into cancer. Often this is difficult to spot, as it usually grows slowly and can be more serious depending on how big it is and whether it has spread.

What is a smear test?

A cervical screening (commonly referred to as a ‘smear’) is the test used to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. This is offered to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. Despite assumptions, the smear test is not a test for cancer, but a test to help prevent cancer. A small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix and tested for the ‘high risk’ types of HPV, and if these are not found, there is no further testing. If they are found, these can be treated before they turn into cervical cancer. 

During the test you will be given a sheet to cover yourself, and the doctor or nurse will insert a speculum gently into your vagina, in order to hold it open. They will then take a small sample from your cervix with a swab. Despite how scary the speculum looks, it will not hurt, it will feel more strange than anything. The best advice for getting a cervical screening would just be to relax, consider how often the medical professional has to conduct these tests so you don’t feel under pressure, and it will be over in no time. 

The latest data from NHS England shows that 30% of women eligible for cervical screening (those aged 25-64), have either never been for their test, or are not up to date with their tests. Between the ages of 25-50, it is recommended by the NHS that you go for the test every 3 years. After that it is reduced to every 5 years. For such a quick, small procedure, it can save so many people from entirely preventable cancers, so it is extremely important that everyone eligible takes the opportunity to go for theirs. 

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

According to the NHS website, the main symptoms of cervical cancer include:

• Vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you – bleeding during or after sex, between periods or after the menopause.

• changes to vaginal discharge

• pain during sex

• pain in your lower back, pelvis, or lower stomach area. 

If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms please refer to the NHS website here:  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/. Although cervical screenings are not recommended to the under 25s, it is still important to see your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms as there are other tests that they can perform.

Edited by Nicole Collins