Cervical screening
How to read the stories

Cervical screening

Cervical screening (a smear test) is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated, may turn into invasive cervical cancer. It is not a test for cancer. The aim of the screening is to reduce the number of women who develop it.

All women between 25 and 64 years old are invited to have a smear test every three to five years. The smear test is used to examine a sample of cells from the cervix. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (speculum) to open the woman’s vagina and uses a spatula to sweep around the cervix and take a sample of cells. This sample is ‘smeared’ onto a slide which is sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.

The results of the smear test are notified to the woman and to the smear-taker.

If the result is normal, the woman is recalled for another smear test in three to five years.
If the smear is inadequate (for example, because it contains too few cells or has blood in it), the woman is asked to come back for a repeat smear.
If the smear is found to contain minor abnormalities, the woman is asked to come back for a further smear after a six – or twelve – month interval.
If the smear contains moderate or severe abnormalities, the woman is referred for further investigation (colposcopy) and possible treatment.

Messages about cervical screening

The aim of cervical screening is to prevent cervical cancer by identifying changes which may develop into cancer.
Cervical screening does not always identify these changes.
Sexual activity increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Having one smear test before the age of 35 reduces the lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer by about 60%.
Having a smear may be embarrassing, uncomfortable or even painful for the woman.

How to read the stories

There is no right or wrong way to read the stories.

Some people are not used to reading stories. Start at the beginning and read the story in each picture. Encourage the reader to move through the pages at their own pace.
Encourage the person to tell the story in their own words. You will discover what they think is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. If you are using the pictures to help explain a procedure to someone, you may need to describe or clarify the actions being shown in each picture to help them understand. Try not to challenge the reader(s) or suggest their ideas are wrong.
Some pictures may be more difficult to understand. It can help to prompt the people you are supporting, for example:
• Who do you think that is?
• What is happening?
• How is he or she feeling?
• Do you feel like that? Has it happened to you/ your friend/ your family?
Allow people enough time to follow the pictures at their own pace. Allow time for discussion of each picture.
Some people may benefit from reading the larger story from which the extract has been taken. This will allow them to explore their feelings and experiences in more depth. To buy the complete book, follow the link to the bookshop that appears at the end of the story.