Essex health experts urge people to get screened for Cervical Cancer
People are being reminded to get their smear test during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd-29th January).
Cervical Cancer screenings are available to all people who have a cervix from the ages of 25 to 64.
A recent report from cancer charity Jo’s Trust says that one in four women in Essex are not adequately screened for Cervical Cancer.
And the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex are urging people to get their smear test done.
Emma Harnett, a Macmillan Primary Care Nurse Facilitator at the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, reminds people that this is not a test for cancer, but to help prevent it.
Emma added that the screening is a quick and easy procedure, and that people should not be afraid or embarrassed by it.
She said: “We know that people might be a bit anxious, especially if it's the first time they're doing the test. But the nurses are very well trained, and they're used to dealing with patients.
“And the test itself takes minutes to do. In fact, the paperwork takes longer than the actual test.”
Emma also stressed that the NHS supports all patients with a physical or learning disability, or if English is not their first language.
The NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex have worked on a project to help increase the uptake of cervical screening by sending a letter and calling people to remind them to take the test.
Micaela Bubb, Senior Business Support Officer for the cancer team at the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, urged people to get their screening done as soon as they receive the letter.
Micaela said: “There was a significant uplift in screenings with the project, and these were people that historically did not attend their screening because they were fearful of coming forward.
“This shows that with just one call, you can allay people’s fears and make them aware that this test is important and that they can speak with their nurses.”
Micaela added that people can do the screening even if they have not received the letter.
She said: “If you have any unusual bleeding or anything significant, you must come forward and speak to your nurse or GP and alert them to any issues.
“There are also people from an older age group who feel they don't need screening anymore. But please do go along for screening just to make sure everything is OK.”
They are now launching a local initiative in West Essex called ‘One Step at a Time: Talking Cancer’, based on lived experiences of patients who have gone through a cancer journey.
You can join by signing up in their EventBrite webpage.