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Cervical Cancer

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus or womb and is often referred to as the neck of the womb. Cells on the outer surface can sometimes develop abnormalities, which will often return to normal without any treatment. Sometimes the abnormal cells can persist and if left un-treated they can develop into cancer. Abnormalities in the cervix and early cervical cancer cause no symptoms but they can be detected by screening.

The smear test is used to take a sample of cells from the cervix for analysis. Most women consider this procedure to be only mildly uncomfortable. For menstruating women a smear test is best taken mid-cycle. The smear test will detect abnormal cells and if they persist then they can be easily treated in a hospital out-patient department. Treatment will prevent cancer from occurring. 

Cervical cancer is preventable! 

Risk factors

The two biggest known risk factors are smoking and infection with the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) or wart virus. There are also other possible risk factors but the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer is non-attendance for a smear test.

Facts

Screening

All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years. In the light of evidence published in 2003 the NHS Cervical Screening Programme now offers screening at different intervals depending on age. This means that women are provided with a more targeted and effective screening programme.

The new intervals are: Ages 25 to 49 – 3 yearly; Ages 50 to 65 – 5 yearly; Age 65+ screen those who have not been screened since age 50 or have had recent abnormal tests.

If you are between the ages of 25-64 and have not received an invitation for your 3-5 yearly, free NHS cervical smear test then contact your surgery. Alternatively private cervical smear tests can be arranged here at The Health Station.

Reference
http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/index.html

New Technology that offers you a better test.

The first real improvement to the Pap Smear Test since it was introduced. Cervical smears at The Health Station are now all ThinPrep© (Liquid Based Cytology – LBC) thus adhering to current recommended best practice.

What is LBC?

Liquid based cytology (LBC) is a new way of preparing cervical samples for examination in the laboratory. The sample is collected in a similar way to the conventional smear, using a special device which brushes cells from the neck of the womb. Rather than smearing the sample onto a microscope slide as happens with the conventional smear, the head of the brush, where the cells are lodged, is broken off into a small glass vial containing preservative fluid, or rinsed directly into the preservative fluid. The sample is sent to the laboratory where it is spun and treated to remove obscuring material, for example mucus or pus, and a random sample of the remaining cells is taken. A thin layer of the cells is deposited onto a slide. The slide is examined in the usual way under a microscope by a cytologist.

How will women benefit from the introduction of LBC?

The reduction in inadequate rates from using LBC will be of considerable benefit to women in terms of reducing anxiety, uncertainty and the need for repeat smears.
Inadequate smears are those where no result can be issued and include those where blood or other matter in the sample makes it impossible to see the cells on the slide properly. In these cases, women are invited back for a second test. The number of 'inadequate' test results will fall and therefore so will the number of women who need a second test. A faster turnaround time in the laboratory also means that women will get their results more quickly.