Your smear test just got less scary! 9 ways to make it easier (honest)
It’s no surprise that many of us dread going for our regular cervical screenings. They can be painful or embarrassing – but they shouldn’t be. New research from a cancer charity, The Eve Appeal, suggests that most women don’t know the key facts that can make the test easier.
From asking for a smaller speculum to bringing a friend, The Eve Appeal has released a number of ways you can make going for a cervical screening painless. It comes after its report, released today for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, showed that one in three people didn’t attend their cervical screenings between 2023 and 2024.
Cervical screening is offered to anyone in the UK between 25 and 64 and is the most effective prevention for cervical cancer, saving around 5,000 lives every year.
Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women’s health, says that cervical screenings will be essential to achieving NHS England’s goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
And, if you’ve been putting off your appointment, she says: “It’s not too late to come forward even if you were due months or years ago – we will always be happy to see you.”
Sometimes called a smear test, cervical screenings look for HPV, a virus responsible for almost all cervical cancers, as well as any changes to your cells which might develop into cancer.
It’s an incredibly effective service, as early treatment and regular monitoring can entirely prevent cervical cancer – but knowing what to ask for when you have your screening can make a big difference.
Here are 9 things to think about before your next smear test:
1. Remember it’s your screening, you are in control.
Going to the doctors can be intimidating – clinical environments with technical jargon often are. The most important thing to remember is that you are in control, it’s your health and your screening.
Over half of the women asked in a recent YouGov survey weren’t aware that they could ask for their screening test to stop at any point. If you’re in too much pain or discomfort at any point, tell your nurse or doctor and ask to stop. You can always rebook the appointment at another time if you need to.
2. Asking for a smaller speculum.
It’s hardly surprising that one size doesn’t fit all, but 77% of women asked in a recent YouGov survey didn’t know they could ask for a smaller size speculum. Changing the size of the speculum used for your cervical screening can have a big difference on the level of discomfort.
3. Booking a double appointment.
“If you’re nervous or scared,” says Dr Amir Kahn, “take some time to talk to the clinician about what to expect and ask any questions you might have.” Booking a double appointment is a great way to do this and so few women know about it – only one in 10 women knew they could book a double appointment to give themselves more time.
4. Asking to bring a friend, family member or carer with you.
You don’t have to do it alone. Having a friendly face in the room with you or a hand to hold can brighten your mood and make an appointment go by far more quickly.
5. Listening to an audiobook, podcast or music.
There’s nothing that a good book or great beat can’t solve. Taking your headphones with you and popping on something that makes you smile can be a welcome distraction and help relax you.
6. Asking if you can try a different position for cervical screening.
Screenings shouldn’t be painful. NHS guidance suggests that some discomfort is normal, but asking your doctor or nurse to try a different position can greatly reduce this. Try asking for a pillow under your bum to raise your hips or to adjust your legs until you find a position that is comfortable.
This is especially key for those with pre-existing conditions, which might make pain more likely; making the practitioner aware can make a world of difference to your screening.
7. Asking for information on cervical screening in Easy Read or in your preferred language.
There’s so much information available for cervical screenings, but for many people, these can be difficult to understand or access. The NHS and charities such as The Eve Appeal have guides for cervical screenings in Easy Read formats and foreign languages for those who might need them.
8. Asking for a female nurse or doctor to take your cervical screening.
Being bare below the waist can leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed, but it’s important to remember that you are in control of your screening. Many women reported that they didn’t feel able to ask for a female nurse or doctor to perform their screening, but you are well within your right to ask for a female practitioner if that would make you more comfortable.
9. Read information on what the screening entails.
As Dr Kahn says, knowledge is power! Knowing exactly what will happen and why can be a good way to knock out the fear or uncertainty around something you’ve been dreading. The Eve Appeal has lots of helpful information on its website, including tips on screening for survivors of sexual trauma and for trans and non-binary people.
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