'Five Million Women' Are Not Up-To-Date With Their Smear Tests, Report Suggests
'Five Million Women' Are Not Up-To-Date With Their Smear Tests
Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK
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Having a smear test could save your life, yet a new report suggests five million women in the UK are not up-to-date with their cervical screening appointments.
Cervical screening enables doctors to detect and treat early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer of the cervix in the future.
But a poll of 3,500 women conducted by GynaeHealth found that 32% of women between the ages of 25 and 64 are not keeping on top of their appointments.
When they scaled up the figures to represent the UK population, the researchers found this equated to more than five million women.
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From the survey results, the researchers estimated that 1.1 million women in the UK who are eligible for a smear test have never had one.
The average UK woman who has had a smear test in the past was found to be 672 days late for her most recent cervical screening appointment.
When asked the reasons for avoiding their appointments, 83% of the survey participants aged 25-29 said they find the idea of smear tests "embarrassing".
For older women, physical discomfort was the main concern. The majority (94%) of women over the age of 50 surveyed described the procedure as "painful" and a further 52% said they did not like the speculum equipment.
Previously speaking to HuffPost UK Lifestyle, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust spokesperson Maddy Durrant said smear tests "should not be painful but some women can experience a degree of discomfort and even short-term mild pain".
She added: "If you feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure, please inform the GP/practice nurse."
Commenting on the latest findings, Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said in a statement: "It's vital that women attend their free NHS cervical screening when invited, as this is the best way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
"For those who find it daunting, there have been some positive results from small HPV self-testing trials and we are now calling for larger trials which, if positive, we hope will be implemented by the NHS in the future."
The research was commissioned by GynaeHealth, who make at-home, self-sampling devices, as part of their Target100,000 campaign.
The campaign aims to tell the millions of women who haven't had a conventional smear test that there may be "another option".
10 Cervical Cancer Facts
Check Your Body (01 of10)
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You know your body best. If you notice any unusual changes like abnormal bleeding from your vagina, pain in your pelvis or lower back, or pain during sexual intercourse, don't ignore it. Make some time to talk to your doctor. (credit:Shutterstock)
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices (02 of10)
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Eat a balanced diet and try not to smoke. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have both been linked to cervical cancer. If you smoke, reducing your risk of cervical cancer is yet another reason to quit. (credit:Shutterstock)
When Should You Have A Pap Test? (03 of10)
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You should have a Pap test within three years of becoming sexually active, or by the age of 21. If you are currently not sexually active or have not been sexually active in years, experts suggest still getting the test. (credit:Shutterstock)
Pap Tests Should Happen 1-3 Years (04 of10)
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You should have a Pap test performed every one to three years depending on previous results. If you have trouble remembering, there are a number of calender apps you can sign up for. (credit:Shutterstock)
Take The Test At The Right Time (05 of10)
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Doctors recommend you have the Pap test in the middle part of your menstrual cycle — that means between 10 to 20 days after the first day of your period. (credit:Shutterstock)
Don't Do It Before The Test (06 of10)
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Don’t have sexual intercourse 24 hours before the test, as this can affect your results. (credit:Shutterstock)
What About Hysterectomies?(07 of10)
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If you've had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), you may still need a Pap test. Talk to your doctor for more information. (credit:Shutterstock)
Practice Safe Sex...All The Time (08 of10)
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The biggest risk factor for developing cervical cancer is an infection of the cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus. HPV infections are quite common and most go away on their own, but some don’t. These are the infections that can lead to cancer if they aren't caught by Pap tests and treated early. (credit:Shutterstock)
Get The Vaccine (09 of10)
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Get vaccinated against HPV. The HPV vaccine can help reduce the risk of cervical cancer, as well as vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer. (credit:Shutterstock)
Know Your Medical History (10 of10)
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Know your medical history as well as your family history, especially if anyone in your family has had cancer. However, cancer can affect anyone at any stage of life, so give yourself the best chance for survival by getting it diagnosed early. (credit:Shutterstock)