CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS
SMEAR TESTS SAVE LIVES
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week starts on 22 January, and we’re supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to raise awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of cervical screenings. Going for your cervical screening can help prevent cervical cancer
Everyone has a different experience of cervical screening. If you are looking for ways to make cervical screening (a smear test) better for you, there are lots of things you can try. We share some of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust tips.
TALK TO YOUR NURSE OR DOCTOR If it is your first cervical screening, you feel embarrassed or worried, you have had a bad experience before, or you have experienced anything that makes the test hard for you, telling the person doing the test means they can try to give you the right support. If you don’t feel comfortable saying something, try writing it down.
for you to wait. Read more about what to expect at
cervical screening at
www.jostrust.org.uk/ information/cervical-screening/covid-faqs
ASK TO BOOK A LONGER OR DOUBLE APPOINTMENT
Having more time before, during or after cervical screening can help people take
ASK FOR A NURSE OR DOCTOR OF A PARTICULAR GENDER You may feel more comfortable knowing that a female or male nurse will be doing your cervical screening. 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.
“Having more time before, during or after cervical screening can help people take in information about the test and process everything that happens.”
ASK FOR THE FIRST APPOINTMENT OF THE DAY 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
08 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2023
in information about the test and process everything that happens. If this would be useful for you, you may want to check if your GP surgery can offer you a longer appointment.
The receptionist may ask why you need a longer appointment – remember, you do not have to disclose anything.
TAKE SOMEONE YOU TRUST WITH YOU If it would help or you need assistance, you can ask if someone can come with you. It could be a friend, family member, partner or someone else. They can be in the waiting
room or examination room with you to offer support. They may also be able to speak on your behalf about any worries. If a trusted person isn’t able to come
to the appointment, you can check if another member of staff can be with you for support. This person is sometimes called a chaperone.
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