There’s Nothing to Fear, It’s Only a Smear
At the start of this coronavirus madness I was surprised that my smear test went ahead as planned one March Thursday, having secretly hoped that it might be postponed. ‘No’, the nurse assured me, ‘we consider this a priority and will keep doing them as long as we can.’ (Since then we are in lockdown – looks like I got in in the nick of time).
Smear tests have been a part of my life for 30 years. I can’t say I look forward to them, but they are just part of the rhythm of the year, like the dentist and the eye test. So I always obediently go when called. In fact, it would never occur to me to do otherwise.
I’m a big believer in all the NHS does to keep us from getting ill. My father was unable to walk, having contracted polio aged 21, and ever after had to use sticks or a wheelchair. His own father had died of malaria whilst working in India - another disease that can now be controlled. My siblings and I were all protected from polio as children, the vaccine served with a lump of sugar.
When our boys were small I always explained with great enthusiasm their privilege in getting immunisations against illnesses which had been common in my childhood, like measles, mumps and rubella; diseases which sent us to bed for weeks at a time. I have friends my age, who have suffered loss of hearing through measles and through mumps. Added to these our boys had jabs for meningitis, tetanus and the rest. We never missed one, with me always reminding them how lucky they were. Their little red books were kept carefully up to date!
Then it was my turn again for some preventive health care. Three years since the last one, not really looking forward to it, a bit embarrassed, the details of previous smear tests a bit of a blur… I knew there were some funny memories within it all though - attending once with our baby son and having him sit on my chest singing a song with me as the nurse got to work, another time my ‘baby swap’ with a friend was mis-calculated so instead of no children present I had a double buggy with a pair of one year olds in attendance! I guess it was just another outing to them.
In my post-menopausal days, there is no need to make sure anymore that the appointment does not coincide with my period. This time I noticed how sensitive the nurse was. She introduced herself and noted aloud that the door was locked and that there was no chance of interruption. I was offered a chaperone if I wanted one. She explained what would happen and then asked me to go behind the curtain to remove my lower clothes. I had remembered to wear a flared skirt, so only had to remove my pants and tights. I had learn from memories of previous poor wardrobe decisions - with me in my tight jeans and a short top, feeling then rather exposed lying on the examination coach under a weeny piece of what seemed like kitchen roll.
I had heard that 1 in 4 of all women are not attending when invited, so I asked the nurse about it. She told me that many women are saying they are embarrassed about their body shape, or about what their vulva looks like and others are concerned about what the nurse or doctor will think of them. It concerned her greatly.
Once I was ready the nurse explained again what would happen. She asked me to lie on my back with my knees drawn up then allow my knees to drop open. Explaining all the time what she was doing in a calm and reassuring voice, she used a speculum to open my vagina then inserted a soft brush and used that to brush against the neck of my cervix to take some cells. It doesn’t hurt, but it feels a bit funny. That done she then withdrew the speculum and brush and left me to get dressed. The cell sample goes into a test tube and off to the lab and then you receive a letter with the results a couple of weeks later. Job done.
Regular smear tests can reduce the chances of a woman developing cervical cancer. Smear tests can detect changes in the cells of your cervix. Changes in these cells may develop into cancer, even in women who have had the HPV vaccine. If changes are identified at your smear test you are offered more frequent, regular checking which can allow cancer to be detected before there are any symptoms, thus resulting in more effective treatments and better outcomes for women. Right now we are being told ‘stay home save lives’. When this is over remember a different maxim - ‘Smear tests save lives’. Just go & do it!
Despite my positive attitude I have never looked forward to my smear tests, or mammograms for that matter. Intimate examinations are not easy and can easily cause anxiety as we anticipate them. I must say it has become easier since becoming a mother. With pregnancy and motherhood, it can sometimes feel like the most private, protected parts of our bodies become somewhat public property - no longer under our control, even with an uncomplicated pregnancy. This definitely makes smear tests easier in the years that follow.
We should not be put off though. I am convinced that a few brief moments of embarrassment, that could prevent us from invasive and extensive treatment if we did develop cancer, is well worth it. I asked a doctor friend for her thoughts. She said that smear tests, and all other tests for that matter, are so much part of their daily routine that they are focussing on the task, not looking at our bits. ‘One fanny is much like another fanny,’ she cheerfully reassured me, ‘we are so busy we don’t even think about it.’
Dressed again the nurse confirmed I’ll keep being called till I’m 65. Ten more years, the final countdown – only three more to go, suddenly I’m thinking I might miss them!
Despite being ready to embrace the smear test I am relieved that, for now, that the newest NHS invitation I have received, which is for my age 55 Bowel Screening, has been temporarily postponed by the Coronavirus. I’ll let you know how I get on……….
Written by Judith Brashaw
Judith has always been an enthusiastic reader, and is excited about trying her hand at writing.