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Make time for your smear test
Like most cancers the earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance for a cure. All women in the UK, from the ages of about 18 - or two years after first sexual intercourse - to 65, are entitled to a cervical smear every three to five years. You should be notified by your local health authority or doctor to arrange a test.
How it's done
The smear test is quite simple. A speculum (a device that dilates the vagina so that it can be inspected) is placed in your vagina and cells are skimmed from the surface of the cervix - or, if you've had a total hysterectomy, from the wall of the vagina - then smeared onto a glass slide. It may be uncomfortable but shouldn't be painful, and you can have it done by a female nurse if you wish.
Getting the results
The slide is sent to the hospital laboratory where it is examined for any abnormal cells. Each smear contains roughly 50,000-300,000 cells. Within a month you should get your results back: a normal result means you don't have to do anything else, but in some cases your doctor may want to call you in. This may be because:
- You need a repeat smear test. The original test had an inadequate number of cells on it, or there was an infection in the cervix.
- You get a 'borderline' result. The laboratory has found a few abnormal cells but not enough to cause concern. In this case you may need a repeat test in six months just to be sure.
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