In Ireland, 300 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer. This means it’s the second most common cancer in women under 35 – after breast cancer – although it can occur at any age.
Cells in the cervix (the neck of the womb) change slowly, and can take years to develop into cancer cells. This is why it’s so crucial to attend regular smear tests – also called cervical screenings.
All it takes to check if your cells are changing is to pop into the doctor or nurse for a quick and easy 15-minute smear test appointment.
So what will happen during the appointment?
The smear-taker will take a swab of your cervix using an instrument called a speculum and a soft brush, and will send your results to be assessed, allowing for early treatment if any cell changes have been determined.
Can a smear test prevent cervical cancer?
75 percent of cervical cancer cases can be prevented, but early detection is key. Early cervical cell changes are symptomless, so the only way you will know if this is occurring is if you attend regular cervical screenings.
What actually causes cervical cell changes?
Most cervical cell changes are caused by HPV (human papilloma virus), a common infection which is spread by skin-to-skin contact during sex. The virus is low risk and is usually cleared up by the body’s immune system. A HPV infection can last for many years without a person knowing about it, so if it doesn’t clear up on its own there’s a greater risk of developing cervical cell changes which may need treatment.
But I’m not sexually active. Do I still need a smear test?
Yes. Cells take a long time to change, so if you have ever had sex, no matter how long ago, you still need to attend regular screenings.
I’m going through the menopause. Surely I don’t need one?
If you’re aged 25-60, you need to attend cervical screenings – and yes, even if you’re going through the menopause.
So how do I go about getting a smear test?
Ireland's National Cervical Screening Programme CervicalCheck offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. Simply visit CervicalCheck.ie to register, find out when your next smear is due or to check the database of 4,500 doctors and nurses around the country to make an appointment.
And spread the word by letting the women in your life know how easy a smear test is – it could very well save a life.
